Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year B (Laetare Sunday) – March 10, 2024
Readings: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16,19-23; Ps 136:1-6; Ephesians 2:4-10; Gospel – John 3:14-21.
Theme: Living by the Truth!
Sunday Synopsis
The first reading recounts how Israel lived falsehood by following foreign gods which led to the Babylonian Captivity. In the second reading, St. Paul urges us to live “the good life,” through the Truth that is revealed in Jesus Christ, whom God raised. The Gospel reading presents Jesus as the Son of Man, the Truth, the Life and the Light. As we celebrate “Rejoice Sunday,” we are urged to shun the works of darkness and embrace the amour of light!
Introduction
The Fourth Sunday of Lent otherwise known as Laetare or Rejoice Sunday is so called because of the Latin words of the Introit – “Laetare Jerusalem” (Rejoice, O Jerusalem) (Isaiah 66:10) found in the entrance antiphon of Mass. It is considered as a day of relaxation from the normal rigours of Lent as Easter is in view. Although weddings are traditionally discouraged during Lent, they can be held on Laetare Sunday. Also, servants were released from their Master’s service to visit their mothers which is why in some Churches, Mothering Sunday is held on this day.
Background and Summary of the Readings
The first reading (2 Chronicles 36:14-16,19-23) recounts how Israel lived falsehood by following foreign gods which led to the Babylonian Captivity. It reveals how the priests scandalously committed infidelity by defiling God’s Temple. The people added sin upon sin by ridiculing the prophets of God, despising His words and burning His Temple.
Consequently, the survivors were deported to Babylon, under the king of Persia until Cyprus obeyed God by ordering that a Temple be built in Jerusalem. The waywardness and sacrilege of the chosen people was corrected by the obedience and readiness of a Persian king to build a Temple for the God of Israel. By worshiping falsehood, the people of Israel lived far away from the truth.
In the second reading, (Ephesians 2:4-10) St. Paul urges us to live “the good life.” He further invites us to live by the Truth revealed through Jesus Christ, whom God raised. By stating that “we are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus to live the good life,” he insinuates that the faithful ought to live in and by the Truth revealed in Christ.
The Gospel reading (John 3:14-21) presents Jesus as the Son of Man, the Truth, the Life and the Light. The text suggests that “Living by the Truth” is a remedy for sin. It further laments that “though the light has come into the world, men have shown they prefer darkness to the light because their deeds were evil.” It adds that “everybody who does wrong hates the light and avoids it for fear his actions should be exposed.”
Pastoral Lessons
1. Shun False gods: We are urged to learn from the first reading and shun the worship of false gods or falsehoods – wearing amulets/charms, having secret altars in their homes and visiting shrines to make it in life in order to live by the Truth.
2. Proclaim Christ: We are urged to “lift Christ” in our lives by proclaiming him in our offices, the airport, bus and train stations, the shopping mall, schools, hospitals, prisons etc.
3. Key into Jesus’ Blueprint: John 3:16 reminds us about the vision and mission statements of Christ – Every believer, therefore, must key into this blueprint by ensuring that the gospel message reaches the ends of the earth.
4. Be Sympathetic to Sinners: Since God did not send his Son to condemn the world, Christians are charged to be sympathetic towards sinners – we are encouraged to expedite action in the area praying for hardened sinners while being empathetic towards souls that are on the verge of being lost.
5. Live by the Truth/Light: Christians are reminded to live by the Truth and the Light – Those who live by these do not need to fear anything because their actions are plain and are done in God.
Summary Lines
1. The first reading recounts how Israel lived falsehood by following foreign gods which led to the Babylonian Captivity.
2. In the second reading, St. Paul urges us to live “the good life.”
3. He further invites us to live by the Truth revealed through Jesus Christ, whom God raised.
4. The Gospel reading presents Jesus as the Son of Man, the Truth, the Life and the Light.
5.The text suggests that “Living by the Truth” is a remedy for sin.
Conclusion
Christians should be worried that though Light has come into the world people prefer darkness. We must ensure that every human being lives the manual of “the good life” God has designed for all His children – Destitute children, the aged and all those whose rights have been trampled upon look up to the Church for true leadership in terms of direction, liberation and succour. May our annual Lenten Observances – prayer, fasting and almsgiving provide us the requisite decorum we need to serve God and live by the truth through Christ, Our Lord. Amen. Happy Mothering Sunday to all our mothers!
N: B – A Tribute to all women.
They give much but get a little
©Fr. Justine John Dyikuk
She embodies sacrifice, succourance and nurturance. She gives much but gets little. From her body, the human race takes root and shape. She imitates the divine as both a carer and protector. She is a life-giver, incubator, guardian and custodian. She is a chef, nurse, doctor, educator, directress, mentress and life coach. With bright eyes like an owl and strong wings like an Eagle, she prays and is watchful over her young.
To the man, she is a wife, her kids a mother and siblings, a sister. With this Trinitarian semblance in place, her husband’s relations call her sister-in-law as she comes across to friends as a crony. She is a colleague in her place of work and a woman of virtue in her place of worship.
She does twice, what a man can do yet shown the kitchen, “the other room,” and lesser professions as her fate. Not even nature can break her – with monthly rehearsals, she bears offspring in a gallant fashion like the Amazon that she is. Surpassing the most sophisticated electronic, her body is a dining hall, refrigerator, heater, and toilet – all in one.
She competes favourably with her male counterpart while being the heart of the home – in uncomplaining quietude, she conquers house chores – the dishes, the laundry and the dirt at every corner. While he snores, food is ready for him, the kids and all – with the kitchen’s aroma as a sufficient meal, she is better positioned for the day’s job.
With a DNA weaved in calmness, doggedness, and resilience, she combines dexterity of purpose with generosity of spirit – poised to change the world. What else can we say of these magical creatures that are wonderfully made? What was lost by the first Eve is now won by the paragon of maternity and prototype of womanhood – The Blessed Virgin Mary who remains a model of modesty for women of all times.
#happyinternationalwomensday.
