In the midst of Lent we lighten the mood this weekend and celebrate Laetare Sunday, Latin for “rejoice”, making the words of the Prophet Isaiah our own as we joyfully anticipate the celebration of Easter. Hence it is an option this weekend for the priest offering Mass to wear rose colored vestments, a lightening of the penitential purple of Lent, and a visual reminder that keeping true to the call of this season to pray, fast, and give alms, we will be lead to a worthy and satisfying celebration of the victory Christ has won for us in His Resurrection.
Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast (Isaiah 66:10-11). Making the words of the Prophet Isaiah our own, we see in Jesus the fulfillment of the deepest desires of God’s People, exemplified in the city of Jerusalem. We are God’s People, members of the Church, and find through her ministrations - preaching the Word of God, celebrating the Sacraments, providing servant leadership so that we might reach heaven in unity and peace - love and contentment. We are, if you will, satisfied at her consoling breast. There is much to rejoice over this weekend, for we are reminded that living a full and committed faith is a real (though incomplete) participation in the glorious new life won for us by Christ’s Death and Resurrection. Even in the valley of tears that this-worldly life often is, we are anticipating in the Lent of this life the Easter joy of eternal life with God our Father through Christ our Savior.
This weekend, we lighten the mood of Lent, joyfully anticipating the celebration of Easter. We play out in this penitential season our life in miniature, and in the midst of its difficulties, holding fast to Christ through His Church, we anticipate and participate now in a real way the victory of Christ’s Resurrection.
Rejoicing with you this weekend,
David J. Conrad
Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast (Isaiah 66:10-11). Making the words of the Prophet Isaiah our own, we see in Jesus the fulfillment of the deepest desires of God’s People, exemplified in the city of Jerusalem. We are God’s People, members of the Church, and find through her ministrations - preaching the Word of God, celebrating the Sacraments, providing servant leadership so that we might reach heaven in unity and peace - love and contentment. We are, if you will, satisfied at her consoling breast. There is much to rejoice over this weekend, for we are reminded that living a full and committed faith is a real (though incomplete) participation in the glorious new life won for us by Christ’s Death and Resurrection. Even in the valley of tears that this-worldly life often is, we are anticipating in the Lent of this life the Easter joy of eternal life with God our Father through Christ our Savior.
This weekend, we lighten the mood of Lent, joyfully anticipating the celebration of Easter. We play out in this penitential season our life in miniature, and in the midst of its difficulties, holding fast to Christ through His Church, we anticipate and participate now in a real way the victory of Christ’s Resurrection.
Rejoicing with you this weekend,
David J. Conrad
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