Laetare

03-14-2021Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

The religious leaders and the people have violated their covenant relationship with Yahweh, not respecting the Sabbath rest and desecrating the Temple. Warned before of the consequences of refusing God’s commandment, they still persisted. The conquest by King Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian captivity was God’s way of punishing them. Not until they have repented, restored the Sabbath-rest did they appease Yahweh. Finally, only after a decree of Cyrus, did they return to Jerusalem and restored the Temple.

In the second reading, St. Paul sees the regenerated man as being incorporated with Christ and one with Him. Four times he depicts Christians as sharing intimately: all things with Christ. Given a new life in Christ, we now share with Him a Spiritual resurrection.

The 4th Sunday of Lent is traditionally known as Laetare Sunday (in Latin, means “rejoice”). Part of the preparation for the holiest day of the year, “we await the sacred Paschal feasts with the joy of mind made pure.” The first reading calls to mind the sorrowful period of history of the Babylonian captivity. For seventy years, they were held captive in Babylon, the city of Jerusalem, and the Temple destroyed. This reading is part of the “remembering,” admitting the truth about their sins. And the truth about captivity as the punishment of God. We recall how we have all sinned and turned away from God, whose heart is full of love for us. When we try to walk alone, we end up walking in darkness. We can see in the world today the truth of this text. We pray that this pandemic is not God’s punishment for our sins. For modern man has violated every known Laws of God. If we are honest, perhaps we can see this darkness in our hearts and lives as well.

We believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, sent by the Father as the greatest gift of love. And not just an accent of the mind to this truth. But to accept Him and make Him the center of our lives. Part of this, acceptance of our sinfulness and need for God’s mercy and compassion. At the heart of the Gospel is the message that God is love. The Father so loved us that He gave us His only begotten Son. He came not to condemn the world but to show mercy and to save us all. Jesus came to bring us life, raise us and give us a place in the Father’s Kingdom.

God is love fully revealed in sending the Son and sacrificing the Son as a ransom for all our sins. The Son demonstrates this love on the cross. Jesus Christ crucified, offering His life to save all people from their sins. The cross reminds us of two things: That we have all sinned and so merited death; and second, that God loves us so much that He took the punishment for our sins on the cross and so gains for us restoration as children of God. As we go deeper into Lent, let us pray to deepen our faith in Jesus Christ. Let us pray in front of the crucifix, finding joy and hope for eternal life.

Let the cross be a great symbol of His love and mercy.