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.
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.
5. Gospel, Lk. 15:1-3, 11-32 — The scribes and Pharisees complain that tax collectors and sinners draw near and listen to Jesus (vv. 1-3). So Jesus tells the parable of the two sons. A man has two sons. The younger son asks his father and receives his share of the estate. He sets off to a distant country, and squanders all his inheritance "on a life of dissipation." A famine strikes the country and he has to become a swine herder to feed himself. For a Jew, to take care of pigs is to fall into the lowest pit.
6. In his misery, he decides to return to his father's house. His father runs to kiss him with great love (vv. 11-20). With great sorrow, the son declares, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be your son" (v. 22). But his father orders new clothes for him and provides a feast to celebrate his return.
7. The older son returns from his work in the fields, sees the celebration, gets angry, and refuses to enter the house. His father pleads with him (vv. 22-28). But the older son angrily complains that he has obediently and faithfully worked all these years and has not been rewarded.
But his squandering and immoral brother is honored with a feast (vv. 29-30). The father answers, "My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. but now we must celebrate... because your brother was dead and has come back to life again; he was lost and has been found" (v. 32).
8. The parable illustrates the infinite love of God for repentant sinners and Jesus' own compassion for the lost. It likewise teaches need for sorrow for sin. Following St. Paul, we are called to be messengers of God's compassion for sinners and bring them to reconcile with God.
9. Prayer — O God, through your Word, you reconcile the human race to yourself in a wonderful way. Grant, we pray, that with prompt devotion and eager faith, we may hasten toward the solemn celebrations to come. This we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Collect of Today's Mass, modified)
Prayers, best wishes, God bless!