Fourth Sunday of Lent 3/10/2024

Dear Friends,

Can you believe that we already have moved past the midpoint of Lent? I am so happy to see many of us taking this Holy Season of Lent seriously and making use of all the opportunities available here at the parish. However, recently I have detected a bit of weariness in some of us.

To those who are experiencing this, I say:  do not worry! Holy Mother Church, in her watchful care for us, already knows this can happen. Therefore, she has prepared a brief respite.  This Sunday, the 4th Sunday of Lent, we celebrate as Laetare Sunday. “Laetare” in English means “rejoice.” Our liturgy will have a tone of joyful anticipation. To mark that change in tone, the vestment colors are Rose, musical instruments are permitted, and …  guess what? …  even flowers are permitted in the sanctuary. These changes are designed to allow us to briefly turn our focus away from repentance and conversion and instead catch a glimpse of the joy that awaits us at Easter. This respite comes just before we enter into the somber days of Passiontide, which begins next Sunday. As Michael R. Heinlein would say, it is the Church’s way of giving us a “shot in the arm” as we approach the horrific sufferings of Jesus that we will soon be called upon to witness. Throughout this coming week, I invite you to move away from any feelings you may have of just trying to “get through Lent.” Rather, I ask that you embrace with gratitude the opportunity given us to continue praying, fasting, and giving alms. Do not give up! We are almost there.

On this Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year B, we hear from the Gospel of John about God’s immeasurable love for us (Jn 3: 14-21). Out of this immense love, He sent us his only Son, and all he asks of us in return is that we believe in him. This belief will impel us to live lives worthy of him, and this in turn will ensure that we receive eternal life.

Yet, time and again, like our forefathers in faith, we turn away from His gift. Sunday’s First Reading, from the Second Book of Chronicles, tells us that “In those days, all the princes of Judah, the priests, and the people added infidelity to infidelity, practicing all the abominations of the nations and polluting the Lord’s temple which he had consecrated in Jerusalem.” Does this sound familiar?

However, despite all of our infidelities, God does not give up on us. In the days to come, especially during the Holy Week liturgies, we will hear of God’s faithfulness in the face of our faithlessness. He loves us so passionately that he asks his only Son to die for us, thereby ensuring that we “might not perish” but instead “have eternal life” (Jn 3:16).

Let’s not forget to pray for our wonderful brothers and sisters who, to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, have become “the Elect of God” and Candidates. This week, they will experience the Second Scrutiny. During this Rite, they will reflect on the Man Born Blind  (John 9: 1-39) which invites them, and us, to move from darkness into light.

Please mark your calendars: we will celebrate a Lenten Reconciliation Service on Tuesday, 12 March 2024 at 7 p.m. Many priests will be present to hear confessions. Please do not miss this opportunity for renewal and grace.

Have a Blessed Week!

With love,

Fr. John