‘Rejoice, our God is always with us!’

My dear family in Christ,

Joy is not the first word people think of when it comes to the season of Lent. Sacrifice, fasting, prayer, somber news, and other words maybe, but not joy. From one perspective this makes absolute sense. We begin the season on Ash Wednesday by being reminded to turn away from sin and that we are turning to dust, not overly joyous messages. The first Sunday of Lent has us journey to the desert with Jesus to ponder 40 days of fasting from food and water, being dedicated to continuous prayer, and fighting against the temptations of the devil, again, not overtly joyous thoughts. Lent is usually portrayed in the light of giving up, dying to self, turning away from sin and doing penance, and rightfully so, we all need these reminders so that we remember that we are in need of a savior. However, despite the somber tone of so much of our Lenten vocabulary, if we pay attention carefully to the prayers and readings of Mass, we may just find a reason to be joyful.

This fourth Sunday of Lent is traditionally called Laetare Sunday because its prayers and antiphons remind us that there are reasons to be joyful even in the midst of our Lenten sacrifices. The entrance antiphon begins with the words “rejoice Jerusalem,” and invites all who mourn to “be joyful,” because the redemption of the world is coming near. Our offertory gifts are placed before God “with joy” because they bring “eternal remedy.” Finally, the first Lenten preface reminds us that Lent is a gift given to us by God so that we can be prepared to “await the sacred paschal feasts with the joy of minds made pure.”

Why joy? How are we to be joyful when we are called to sacrifice and repentance? The answer lies in the fact that joy is not the fleeting happiness or pleasure of daily life. Joy is the deep-rooted conviction of God’s eternal love for us and that His plan for our salvation is greater and more powerful than any earthly pleasure or pain. Joy is the result of being convinced that regardless of having to endure struggles and want, even for only the 40 days of Lent, God sustains us, feeds us, forgives us, strengthens us, and loves us. We can experience joy because God is at the center of our lives and provides us with strength and protection.

So though we have another couple weeks of Lent remaining and so we have to continue to embrace the call to repentance and sacrifice, let us do so not with the long face of those who have no hope, but as the true children of our Heavenly Father who provides for all our needs, even in our struggles. Rejoice, our God is always with us!

In Christ,

Monsignor John J. McDermott

Diocesan Administrator