When we travel to visit our #1 grandson Calvin, Wendy and I know that we have a long drive ahead of us. Somewhere near the Alabama/Georgia state line we hit the halfway point in our journey. Once past that halfway point there is a heightened sense of excitement and joy; the anticipation of being with Calvin increases!
Many of us drive that Causeway bridge, a few miles down the road, that connects our community with New Orleans and her suburbs. For some of us, who commute every day, the ride may be very routine and you hardly notice the trip. Others, like myself, do not drive the Causeway that often so I took note of the new mileage markers recently installed that count off every 1/10th of a mile. For one that anxiously awaits the end of that 23.8 mile commute, I look forward to passing the 11.9 marker; the halfway point of the Causeway experience!
As people of faith we have crossed that halfway point of Lent on our journey to Easter joy! Laetare! Rejoice!
What is Laetare Sunday? There is a bit of difference in today's Lenten Sunday liturgy. We break out the "rose" colored vestments today for only the second time in the liturgical year. The prayers and readings seem to be forward looking. Our entrance refrain sets the tone taken from Isaiah the prophet: Laetare Jerusalem; Rejoice O Jerusalem!!
On this celebration of arriving at the halfway point of Lent we are given a well known and very beautiful Gospel from St. John. We hear the most beloved words of John 3:16: "for God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life." There indeed is cause for rejoicing here but the hearer of these words must become doers too. Just a few words later we also hear: "whoever believes in Him will not be condemned but whoever does not believe has already been condemned." In His divine plan, God allows each of us to accept or reject this divine truth. All of us are free to accept or reject His offer of love, mercy and friendship. You see God has done His part; we must do ours.
There are two themes in this same Gospel that give us powerful hints of what we need to be looking for as we accept God's gracious offer: look up and look for the light. There is a beautiful Gospel song titled Love Lifted Me. The lyrics say it all, Love lifted me, when nothing else could help, love lifted me. It was love that lifted Jesus high on that cross at Calvary. He allowed Himself to be lifted high on an instrument of death because of His love for us, yes, for all mankind, but love for us; for you and for me. And every time we come to Mass, we see Jesus lifted high again, in the un-bloody re-presentation of Calvary, in the bread that becomes His Body and the wine that becomes His Blood. Lifted high, we then come forward and receive the food of the One Lifted Up for us; and we again have His promise of eternal life. There is cause for rejoicing here! But again, we must be doers as we receive Jesus worthily in Holy Communion, then we become Jesus to others placed in our path who we serve, today and in the days ahead!
The other theme is light. Jesus tells us that the light came into the world to dispel darkness, but many loved the darkness. We are a people of light. For just as the light rises in the morning sky, as Jesus was lifted high, we must always turn to the light. Jesus goes on to tell us that whoever loves truth comes to the light. We are called to truth and light! There is cause for rejoicing here!
In the week ahead, can we focus on our spirit of rejoicing as the days of Easter begin to draw near? How can we do this? As we reread this Gospel, perhaps two times in the week ahead, can we plan and carry out one action that is designed to bring joy to one person. Remember, we have to be doers too. Just one action, informed by love and designed for joy, to one person. It matters not whether we know that person or not, bring someone joy. And if they ask you from where did that joy come from, tell them, from the One who is lifted high for us and the One who is the light! And one more Lenten reminder: Stations of the Cross. This beautiful devotion that prays with Jesus on the road to Calvary is offered here twice every Friday in Lent. You can pray the Stations either Friday mornings after Mass or Friday afternoon at 6 PM. We supply the prayer books and your participation gives glory and honor to God as we follow Jesus on the royal road to victory. If you have not been able to pray the Stations of the Cross remember, Lent is now past the halfway point. Perhaps this week, is the perfect time to honor He who is lifted high for us!
Yes, there is rejoicing when we cross that halfway point to visit with Calvin and I sense relief when I get to the halfway point of the Causeway. We are halfway home through Lent with Easter our desired destination. There is cause for rejoicing here so I say rejoice! Laetare!
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