This Sunday, the fourth Sunday in Lent, is also known as "Laetare Sunday." Laetare is Latin for rejoice!
It comes directly from the Proper Entrance Chant for the Fourth Sunday of Lent:
Lætare Ierusalem: et conventum facite omnes qui diligitis eam: gaudete cum lætitia, qui in tristitia fuistis.
Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning.
What a wonderful message the Church relays from the prophet Isaiah on this particular Sunday! The music at Mass this weekend will reflect this encouraging tone.
Times are difficult in our world, our Church, and our country. Uncertainty seems to be the theme these days. We have no pope at the moment, and it is all to easy to get discouraged in our Christian walk.
The Lord encourages us. Through Isaiah, the Lord is telling us that our suffering is not in vain. God has big plans for us!
I'm reminded of the Proper Communion chant for Ash Wednesday, which says, "whoever meditates on the law of the Lord day and night, will have all his fruit in due season." Day and night don't just mean day and night; it also means through the easy and the difficult times.
Easter will be here before we know it. The Lord will rise, and bring you to glory with Him. Are willing to suffer with him all the way to the cross?
And, just to be clear: We are not "celebrating the fourth Sunday in Lent;" we are celebrating the One Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that takes place in all of Eternity, ON this fourth Sunday in the time of Lent.
God's love is eternal.
