Rejoice Sunday

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

Rejoicing in the midst of mourning... it seems like an oxymoron. Yet this is the theme of Laetare Sunday (the Fourth Sunday of Lent). Laetare means "Rejoice." It is the first word in the Latin translation of the historic Introit for that Sunday of the Church year. Some congregations change the colors for this service from violet to rose (pink) in order to highlight the "rejoicing" theme. Together with the third Sunday in Advent, these two Sundays lift up a thankful cry of rejoicing in the midst of what are otherwise considered more somber seasons of the Church year.

 

But what reason do we have to rejoice? Well, we are children of our heavenly Father, and children of promise, born of the Jerusalem above (Galations 4). We have been made beloved children in the waters of Holy Baptism according to His word of promise. Our sins are forgiven. The sting of death has been "unstung," Satan's accusations against our sins don't hold water (that is, baptismal water). Why? Because we are united with Christ in Holy Baptism.

 

By Baptism into Christ we are children according to the promise. We are blessed with the promised Holy Spirit. We are promised the forgiveness of our sins. We have the sure promise of resurrection from death. We look forward to the promised "life of the world to come." Faith in Christ receives the benefits of all of these baptismal promises. That means that regardless of whatever dire, demoralizing, or deathly situations God's people face, nevertheless, we may rejoice all the while. Why? Because we have been redeemed from the sorrows of our sins, the sorrows of this world, and the sorrows of hell.

 

As children of God, the Church of God is our spiritual mother; it is the Bride of Christ, and the Jerusalem from above. As beloved children of our heavenly Father, we are beckoned to "nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast." The Gospel of forgiveness, resurrection, and salvation is the milk we are invited to drink. And not just a little mind you, but we are to "drink deeply with delight from her glorious abundance." It not only brings us consolation in the midst of our sorrow, but it gives us cause for rejoicing even in the midst of mourning.

 

We drink of this milk, when we gather together in Jesus' name to hear, remember, and rejoice in the salvation which He has gained for us. We drink of this milk when we confess the true faith we have in the God of Creation, Redemption, and Sanctification. We drink of this milk when we study and read the Holy Bible at home or with fellow believers. We drink of this milk when we sing Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs that proclaim the saving work of Jesus for us.

 

I pray that this season of Lent is a "satisfying" and "consoling" season for you; a season of reflection and repentance, mourning over sin and rejoicing in the Gospel. Rejoice and believe the Good News. Drink deeply with delight from the Church's glorious abundance.

Living forever, now.