4th Sunday of Lent (Year C)
Joshua 5:9a, 10-12 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Theme: A call to rejoice
Rejoice, I say Rejoice. Today is the 4th Sunday of lent year C and it’s also known as Laetare Sunday. The word Laetare has a Latin root, which means rejoice; thus we are celebrating rejoice Sunday. The church invites us on this 4th Sunday to rejoice, taking into consideration the fact that the mystery of our salvation is getting closer. In the 2nd reading for this Sunday, we see the emphasis on the need for reconciliation with God and with one another. Lastly, in the gospel reading, we see the story of the prodigal son. This is a story that says a lot to you and I as children of God.
The church in her wisdom provides us with the opportunity to be reconciled with God and one another, through the sacrament of reconciliation. This is an opportunity that we have to make good use of at all times. Sometimes is as if some of us are too lazy to avail of ourselves this wonderful sacrament presented to us by the church. That is why some of us can comfortably stay away from the confessional for many months and for some others for more than a year. My brothers and sisters in Christ, the sacrament brings us newness of life and healing, each time we go before God in the confessional. We are encouraged in a very special way today to make good use of the sacrament of reconciliation and make this rejoice Sunday for this liturgical year count in our life. We are all encouraged to take seriously the admonition of St. Paul in today’s 2nd reading in the practice of our Christian faith. Dearly beloved in Christ, remember the assertion of St. Paul tells us that God has reconciled himself through Christ. Therefore, having been reconciled with Him, He wants us to be reconciled to one another in our actions in our daily life.
In the gospel reading, we are presented with the story of the prodigal son. This is a story that we all can easily relate with without much difficulty. We see ourselves in some aspects of both the prodigal son and in the obedient son. Interestingly, some aspect of the servant that gave the information to the obedient son about the happenings in the house can also be found in some of us; his assertions were inciting. Dearly beloved in Christ, let us use the opportunity presented to us by our liturgy today, to do some introspection and correct what is not right in our lives like the prodigal son.
May the Lord bless his word in our hearts. Peace be with you as you rejoice today.