FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Rejoice and Believe

This Fourth Sunday of Lent is called Laetare Sunday or “Rejoice” Sunday.  The priest's vestments change to a rose color, signaling hope and joy in the midst of our Lenten penances for the anticipated coming of Easter and the Resurrection of our Lord.  Even the ancient Israelites who were held captive in Babylon could rejoice with the hope and joy of a new Jerusalem despite their then darkness. It was during that time of captivity that Isaiah announced to them the Lord’s comforting message, “Rejoice Jerusalem, and all who love her.  Be joyful, all who were in mourning: exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast” (Is 66:10-11).  Rejoice, God is always with us!

Today’s first reading describes the fall of Jerusalem after the death of King Solomon, when all the people including the princes and priests turned their hearts away from God and started imitating and practicing pagan abominations, polluting the Lord’s temple, and ignoring the prophets sent by the Lord.  Their hardened hearts lacked belief and faithfulness in the Lord.  Yet despite the destruction of Jerusalem and 70 years of punishment for the people, God never abandons them, but instead restores Jerusalem through a foreigner, Cyrus, King of Persia.  This foreshadows the salvation to come in Christ.  In the Gospel reading, St John’s message should inspire us all with belief and faith. He wrote, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so everyone who believes in him might not perish, but might have eternal life” (Jn 3:16), and “Whoever believes, will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned” (Jn 3:18).

On this “Rejoice!” Sunday, let us all believe and reflect on God’s amazing love, including His desire to have an ongoing relationship with us.  Even when we break our relationship with God through sin and darkness, let us remember that God sent His only Son to offer us salvation.  Christ brought light into the darkness of sin, so we won’t remain condemned.

Here are a couple of points to ponder: 1) In what parts of your life is the darkness of sin still lingering around?  Will you let Jesus in for healing?  2) On this “Rejoice!” Sunday, contemplate the things that bring you joy in life — and be grateful for them.   

–Thuy-Nga Casey

Send Us Forth are reflections written by St. Matthew parishioners and friends.