“Brothers and sisters: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.” (Ephesians 5:8-9)

The major theme for this 4th Sunday of Lent, also known as the Laetare Sunday, focuses on God’s invitation for our continuing and ever deepening conversion during this Lenten season. It is an opportunity to repent our sins, to embrace God’s holy life, to irradiate God’s compassionate and merciful love to all, that only He is the true “light” that gives sight to the blind in this sinful, dark, bleak, and often hopeless world, guiding us to the joy of eternal life, the brightness of His salvation and peace.

“Laetare Sunday” means “Rejoice Sunday” because the name expresses the Church’s joy in anticipation of the Resurrection of the Lord. This name comes from today’s Mass antiphon that begins with the words “Laetare Jerusalem” ("O be joyful, Jerusalem" - from Isaiah 66:10). It is also known as Mothering Sunday, Refreshment Sunday, Mid-Lent Sunday (in French mi-carême), and Rose Sunday (either because the golden rose sent by the pope to Catholic sovereigns used to be blessed at this time or because of the permission to use the rosy vestments instead of the purple ones).

Today’s readings remind us that it is God who gives us proper vision in body and spirit, warning us that we should be constantly on guard against spiritual blindness, remaining in the darkness of our sins, inability to see God's revelation of love, truth, holiness, forgiveness, blessing, eternal life, grace, joy, peace, etc., unable to discern or experience the freedom and glory of God.

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to work with the Holy Spirit to imitate and follow our savior Jesus Christ in this Lenten season. He alone is the true “light” that gives sight to the blind, guiding us to the brightness of His salvation, to repent our sins, to exercise our Christian stewardship, to use our time, treasure and talents to love God above all and to love our neighbors as ourselves, participating in the works of mercy, to accomplish God’s will in our lives to glorify God. 

How can we help each other eliminate our blindness to sinfulness, poverty, injustice and suffering due to our self-centeredness, greed, anger, hatred, prejudice, jealousy, addiction, and hardness of heart?                              

Wishing you a very happy and blessed week in the Lord.