by Faith Central & Steve Welsh
“The readings from Sunday Mass speak to us of our desperate condition and how God’s abiding love has not only set us free but has lifted us higher as well. God was not content to restore us to some earthly garden, paradise though it was. No, He so loved the world that He sent His Son, who opened Heaven itself
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“… The day’s theme comes from the entrance antiphon reflecting on Isaiah 66:10-11: ‘Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exalt and be satisfied at her consoling breast.’ Laetare is the first word — meaning “rejoice” — in the Latin text. On Laetare Sunday (as similarly with the Third Sunday of Advent’s Gaudete
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“The fourth Sunday of Lent is rather unique; like the third Sunday of Advent (‘Gaudete Sunday’), the fourth Sunday of Lent is a break in an otherwise penitential season. The vestments for this day will be rose, as they are on Gaudete Sunday in Advent, and flowers may adorn the Altar. This day is called ‘Laetare Sunday’ (also “Rose Sunday”
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“Today, the Eucharist which we are preparing to celebrate takes us in spirit to Mount Tabor together with the Apostles Peter, James and John, to admire in rapture the splendour of the transfigured Lord. In the event of the Transfiguration we contemplate the mysterious encounter between history, which is being built every day, and the blessed inheritance that awaits us
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“Franciscan Media presents a look at Mount Tabor and the Church of the Transfiguration, site of the Transfiguration of Jesus, when Jesus was transformed in appearance with His Face Shining like the sun and His clothing dazzling like light; when Jesus conversed with Moses and Elijah; and when the Voice of God the Father came from a dazzling cloud, saying,
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“Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold” (Mt 24: 12) … the Pasch of the Lord draws near! In our preparation for Easter, God in His Providence offers us each year the season of Lent as a ‘Sacramental Sign of our Conversion’ … to help the entire Church experience this time of grace anew,
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“Only with a total attitude — in his relationship with God … himself and … his neighbor — does man reach conversion and remain in the state of conversion. ‘Alms’ … has a meaning … decisive for this conversion. … recall the image of the Last Judgment that Christ gave us: ‘… I was hungry and you gave Me food.
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“If we consider it well, my brethren, the fact that Christ is hungry in those who are poor has something to say to us… Look: on one side a tiny coin and on the other, the Kingdom. What is the comparison? You give a small coin to a poor man and receive the Kingdom from Christ; you give a scrap
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“Lent summons us, and enables us, to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly and in every aspect of our life.”
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“… although any time is suitable for the exercise of the virtue of charity, it is more especially urged on us by this present season. … those who long to receive the Lord’s Pasch with bodies and souls made holy must strive earnestly to acquire this grace which includes the sum of all virtues and ‘covers a multitude of sins’
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