30 March, Sunday, Laetare Sunday

Readings — Jos. 5:9, 10-12; Ps. 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Lk. 15:1-3, 11-32.

Some Notes on Laetare Sunday

1. "Laetare" is a Latin imperative which means "Rejoice!" It is the first word of the opening antiphon (Introit) of the Mass: "Laetare Jerusalem," Rejoice Jerusalem! (see Is. 66:10-11). It is also known as "Rose Sunday." Instead of the violet Mass vestments, rose (pink) vestments are permitted today. Laetare Sunday is exactly 21 days before Easter Sunday.

Similar to "Gaudete Sunday," the 3rd Sunday of Advent, Laetare Sunday expresses the joy and hope in the coming Easter Sunday of the Resurrection in the midst of Lenten fast and abstinence. It is emblematic of the joys of this life, restrained rejoicing with a certain amount of sadness.

2. 1st Reading, Jos. 5:9, 10-12 — Joshua, the successor of Moses, encamped with the Israelites in Gilgal on the plains of Jericho. There they celebrated the Passover on the evening of the 14th day of the month (later called Nisan). On the day after the Passover, they ate unleavened bread and parched grain. Then the manna, their food from heaven, stopped (vv. 9-12).

This was their first Passover in the Promised Land, and commemorated their liberation from Egypt, God's wonderful work of redemption. They had trusted in God's providence to provide manna in the wilderness. Now in Canaan, they had to provide food for themselves.

3. Resp. Ps. 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 — A Psalm of Thanksgiving. "I will bless the Lord at all times.... My soul will glory in the Lord; let the poor hear and be glad" (vv. 2-3) "This poor one cried out and the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him" (vv. 6-7). The Psalm teaches us that God hears the prayer of those who are humble, poor in spirit, and trust in the Lord.

4. 2nd Reading, 2 Cor. 5:17-21 — The death of Christ produces a whole new order and a new mode of perception. Our faith "in Christ," being united with him, transforms us. "So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come" (v. 17).

"And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation... and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation" (vv. 18-19). We are now messengers of God's grace.