“Come, Rejoice with Us"

Co-led with Nancy Hendricks.

Mid-way through the penitential season of Lent comes a bright spot of hope and joy: the 4^th Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday.  The liturgical color of the day — rose — shines like a beacon against the unrelenting purple of Lent, a visual sign to the faithful that Easter is within our sight.

Named for the Latin word for “rejoice”, Laetare Sunday helps us remember God’s grace, mercy and unconditional love.  The day gives new energy to our traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, and sharpens our focus on how to live in right relationship with God and others.

Yes, Christ’s suffering, crucifixion and death loom ahead of us.  But Laetare Sunday reminds us that from the tragedy of the Passion arises the reality of Christ’s Resurrection, with the assurance that we all share in that miraculous gift of eternal life and light.  With our faith thus strengthened, we can resume our Lenten observances with renewed commitment.