LAETARE SUNDAY

Laetare Sunday, celebrated in the midst of our Lenten disciplines and observances, serves as a pivotal moment as we prepare for the great feast of Easter. On this day, the Church calls us to pause and remember the joy of the resurrection that is drawing near. The term “Laetare” itself, a Latin word meaning “rejoice,” is prominently featured in the opening of the Entrance Antiphon for the Mass on this 4th Sunday of Lent: “Laetare, Jerusalem,” or “Rejoice, O Jerusalem.”

This occasion can be likened to the joy one feels upon nearing the summit after a long mountain climb, or the relief and anticipation when, after a 100-mile journey, you see a sign indicating only 30 miles remain to your destination. It is this specific joy, the realisation of being ‘almost there,’ that the Church highlights for us today.

To visually underscore this sense of joy and anticipation, priests (those who have it) don the rose-coloured vestments in place of the usual purple ones associated with Lent. This change in colour is not merely aesthetic but symbolic, it signifies a lightening of the penitential mood of Lent and points us towards the imminent joy and glory of Easter. The rose colour acts as a beacon of hope, a gentle reminder of the Easter joy that awaits us, and encourages us to continue our journey through Lent with renewed purpose and joy in our hearts.

However, our readings for today invites us to acknowledge the Father’s merciful heart, embrace His love, and adhere to the truth so that we might be saved.

Happy Laetare Sunday