Copy of Rejoice Sunday

Rejoice Sunday…

We are on the Fourth Sunday of Lent. Traditionally this Sunday is known as “Laetare Sunday,” from the Latin word for “Rejoice!” It sets a tone of joyful anticipation of the Easter mystery. The theme of the reading is new life and spiritual sight.

The fourth Sunday of Lent gives us a review of salvation history. The first reading is a historical moment of salvation      history. Israelites were governed by Judges. They looked at the surrounding kingdoms and asked God for a King. Saul was their first king, but he offended God, and the kingship was taken from him. The Lord asked Samuel, the last Judge in Israel, to go to Bethlehem to anoint Jesse’s son as the next king. We read in the Book of Psalms 78:70-71, “He chose  David his servant, took him from the sheepfolds. From tending ewes God brought him, to shepherd Jacob, his people, Israel, and his heritage. He shepherded them with a pure heart; with skilled hands he guided them.” Samuel followed God’s command and anointed David and the Holy Spirit came upon him. This anointing is a type of baptism. We read in the book of Isaiah 1:1-2 “A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots, a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the LORD shall rest    upon him.”

The Gospel reading is also a symbolic catechesis on baptism. Isaiah prophesied that Jews believed that when Jesus comes, he would heal the blind and other diseases. We read in Isaiah 42:7, “To open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.”

Jews believed that wherever there is suffering there is sin. Book of Exodus 20:5 “…inflicting punishment for their      ancestors’ wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation.” So, the disciples brought up this question to Jesus. Jesus denies such a cause and tells them it is a providential plan of God. God has a higher purpose in allowing this man to be blind, but it is not the result of his own personal sin. Jesus gave physical sight to the man who was blind; it is a sign that Jesus gives spiritual sight to see the world in the light of heaven. Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.” Jesus is the source of truth, faith, and life. The Man who received the sight received the light of faith.

Jesus applied the clay mixed with saliva on the man’s eyes and asked him to go and wash in the 'Pool of Siloam.’ In the 2 books of Kings (5:10-14) Elisha commanded Naaman the Syrian to “go and wash” in the Jorden River to be restored to health. The pool of Siloam was in the southern district of ancient Jerusalem to serve as a water supply for the city. Siloam means sent. Here Jesus is the source of living water. This miracle anticipates the administration of baptism.

Jews said that it is unheard of that anyone to open the eyes of a person who was born blind. When they threw him out, Jesus found him and asked him whether he believed in the Son of Man. He made the profession of faith: "I do believe, Lord," and he worshiped him.”

This Gospel passage is associated with baptism. Just as the blind man went down into the waters of Siloam and came up whole, so also believers who are immersed in the waters of Baptism come up spiritually whole, totally healed of the spiritual blindness with which all of us are born.

We are a Eucharistic community. Jesus gives us His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity for our nourishment, then we are sent out to proclaim the Good News. Through our Baptism, we are called to be a missionary. As you know we are in the years of Eucharistic Revival and Maintenance to Mission. Our parents and grandparents lived in Christendom, which means their children received Sacraments and everyone went to church and lived the faith. Today it is not the case. In the United States, the fastest-growing group is NONE. We are shifting from Christendom to an Apostolic mission. So, we need to shift to Apostolic Mission – we are the missionaries – we need to actively share our faith and invite others to  celebrate with us.

We are in the process of forming an Evangelization Team and the team will be joining with the rest of the Diocese for a workshop on May 6^th. Bishop will be sending a letter to all parishioners in our Diocese in the spring. Then the next phase of the work of the Evangelization Team comes into action.

It starts with prayer. Let us pray for all those who come and celebrate with us, let us pray for all those who are away from the church, and when you feel comfortable gently invite them.