Lætare Sunday: Joy and the Cross are not incompatible
Dear friends in Christ The Fourth Sunday of Lent is Lætare Sunday from the opening words of the Entry Antiphon: Rejoice, Jerusalem! Even though we are only halfway through Lent, we are encouraged on this day to be joyful. Joy and the Cross are not incompatible; penance and self-sacrifice bring us into a joyful relationship with Jesus—at least they should. In the Gospel of this Sunday we shall hear another of those stunning miracles Jesus performs in order to bring us to the submission of faith. The Man Born Blind is a symbol of all those who live without seeing God, those who are spiritually blind. Once our eyes are opened, we see everything more clearly. We see, as it were, with supernatural vision. As we approach the celebration of the Paschal Triduum, and many throughout the Church prepare for the Easter Sacraments, let us allow ourselves to be led by the light of Jesus to deeper faith and trust in Him. On Monday we have the Solemnity of Saint Jose...