Laetare Sunday

Rose colored vestments and perhaps flowers in the sanctuary indicate that "something's up", something is different from the Lenten purple we've seen in the vestments since Ash Wednesday.  Yes, Easter is closer, and as kids often say, "I can't wait!".  The Entrance Antiphon begins with the word, "Rejoice"  (Laetare in Latin) and proceeds in joy: "Rejoice Jerusalem and all who love her./ Be joyful, all who were in mourning;/ exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast." (cf. Is 66: 10-11). We are more than halfway to Easter with its joy and triumph over evil, with its waters of baptism flowing over those who have been preparing intensely during Lent for this great sacrament, so we are "jumping ahead" in anticipation of this greatest of Solemnities.
Our Gospel from the entire Chapter 9 of John tells the story of the Man Born Blind, who, thanks to Jesus, emerges from the darkness of his blindness to not only physical sight, but to the light of faith, "I do believe, Lord" (Jn 9: 38). Like him are the Catechumens who have been preparing for Baptism, as well as we who have been following our program of prayer, fasting and almsgiving: our blindness is being lifted and we are coming to see Jesus in a new light.  May we continue to scrutinize those things that keep us in darkness and in ever deepening and growing faith, ask Jesus to heal us.
Bro. Rene