On Laetare Sunday

Beloved in Christ,

This Sunday, March 15, is known as Laetare Sunday. It is the Fourth Sunday in Lent, and known as the “half-way” point in the season. Traditionally, pink (okay, okay, technically rose colored vestments) are worn on this Sunday making it one of two rose Sundays (the other being Gaudete Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent.

It has been a time of breaking the fast and penitential season within Lent, and before the rise of the common lectionary (shared across numerous traditions in the 20th and 21st century), the Roman lectionary had the miracle of the loaves and fishes on this Sunday.

The name comes to us from the opening words of what the Mass would have been in roughly a millenia ago, with the introit being Laetare, Jerusalem or “Rejoice, o Jerusalem” from Isaiah 66:10 and Psalm 121:1.

It is a reminder that, even for the most austere Christians in the medieval era, a time of break from fast and rejoicing is important to balance in the spiritual life.

I find it a helpful reminder that we can be yet joyful and also reverent, and solemn. We can grieve and lament our sins and rejoice in the gracious love and compassion and mercy which God bestows upon us.

In doing so, we can more fully embrace the faults of others, and pour out love, compassion, and mercy as well. After all, “we love because He (Jesus) first loved us”! (1 John 4:19)

So I pray that you experience some special joy and perhaps see something rose colored to brighten your day this coming Sunday, all to the glory of God.

Yours in Christ,

Alex+