Lenten Joy

"Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful all who were in mourning;/ exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast."  So reads the Entrance Antiphon for this Fourth Sunday in Lent, called Laetare Sunday, from the first word of this antiphon and because we are at the half-way mark in Lent and cannot hold back our anticipation of the joyful victory and celebration of Easter.  Even the purple vestments yield to rose, coming a  bit towards closer to the white of Easter. 
This should be a happy day, a day of rejoicing also because of the great love of God for us in Christ Jesus.  For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him, may have eternal life. (Jn 3:16).  Can anything be clearer or more heart stirring than that?  Not only did God become human, one of us, but as that human he acknowledged our value and loveable-ness, and suffered the excruciating pain of his passion, cross and death to show us God's love.  Where would we be without Jesus?  As St. Augustine says, "You would still be in a state of wretchedness, had he not shown you mercy. You would not have returned to life, had he not shared your death. You would have passed away had he not come to your aid. You would be lost, had he not come."  Jesus, our Savior, the Love of God made visible, is the reason for our joy.  This Sunday is dedicated to it, let us be joyful and carry that joy to others.
Bro. Rene