Dear Friends in Christ,
The Fourth Sunday of Lent is called Laetare Sunday. The word ‘Laetare’ means ‘To rejoice’ (Wikipedia). Much like on Gaudete Sunday during Advent, on Laetare Sunday, rose-colored vestments are worn at Mass. The rose color worn on this Sunday symbolizes the joy associated with Lent’s coming end and the nearness of Easter. From next Sunday (The Fifth Sunday of Lent) until the end of Holy Week, the Church enters the solemn period of Passiontide during which
our reflections and prayers turn to Christ’s sufferings borne for us.
This Sunday’s Gospel presents us with a truly joyful event, namely the healing of a man born blind. In this gospel, Jesus answers an important question. His disciples wonder if the man’s blindness has been caused by the sin of the man or his parents. Jesus responds clearly that the blindness is not God’s punishment but, instead, has been allowed by God so that God’s glory can be shone through it.
The healing of a man born blind was momentous for the people of Jesus’ time as well as it is today. Before his healing, the man probably believed that things could never get better for him. He may have even despaired in his lot. Yet, when he met Jesus, the impossible became possible and God gave him a new and unexpected life as a gift.
God’s love for us is so much greater than we imagine it is. Sometimes, we are afraid to hope that God can change impossible situations in our lives for the better. Yet, our Christian faith teaches us that faith yields miracles. In these closing weeks of Lent, let us present to the Lord in prayer all the “impossibles” of our lives so that He may touch them with His love and mercy.
In Christ,
Fr. Michael