Laetare Sunday ~ Rejoice!
The Fourth Sunday of Lent ~ 3/19/23
Well, I left my devotional at the office, so I will offer a reflection on today – 1) the 4th Sunday in Lent,
2) The Feast of St. Joseph, and, 3) the Gospel of the Blind man healed by Jesus on the Sabbath.
The Fourth Sunday in Lent, Laetare Sunday, means we’ve made it halfway through Lent. That does not mean the second half will be easy, but much like the Third Sunday of Advent, both are set aside to remind us to rejoice in the process of growing closer to Christ. Whether we are awaiting his birth or hesitant about reliving his Passion, pain, suffering, humiliation, betrayal, crucifixion and eventual death, we know there is joy after the grief. Just as the newborn baby is delivered after the pains of labor, our savior delivered us through his death and resurrection. For this, there is reason for great joy! This week reminds us of that, and encourages us to keep up with our struggles.
I must confess, I don’t think I give St. Joseph as much time in prayer, nor enough gratitude for taking Mary and Jesus, into his heart and his home. He chose to become the protector of both. There’s not much written about him in the scriptures, but what a man of integrity and character he must have been to take this young pregnant girl as his wife and then help her to deliver the Son of God! WOW! Yes, he did have an angel come to him in a vision, to reassure him that Mary did indeed conceive through the Holy Spirit, and had not been with another man, and that she would bear the Son of God and He would be named Jesus. I think 99 out of 100 other men would still have their doubts! The certainty with which he accepted her situation and agreed to marry her and care for her and her son, is quite admirable. He saved her not only from familial and societal ostracization, but possibly from being stoned to death, as well. He is definitely to be remembered fondly and given prayers of gratitude for helping bring our savior into the world!
Finally, today’s Gospel (John 9:1-41) tells of the “man blind from birth”, whom Jesus cured by spitting into the dirt to make a clay to put on his eyes. Jesus then told him to “go wash in the Pool of Siloam’ – which means Sent - So he went and washed, and came back able to see.” There are several interesting aspects to this story.
First, this was a grown man, who had been blind his entire life. We are told his parents were still alive – in fact, the Pharisees questioned them, to verify that this was indeed their son, and that he had been born blind, but how could he now see? They answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for himself.” This could explain something of the family dynamics – why he was left to beg, and, now that he was healed, they were afraid of being associated with Jesus – it could tarnish their reputation. Let their grown son speak for himself? Ok.
The Pharisees still would not let up, they called him back again, and since the healing was done on the Sabbath, they were looking for an explanation. No one who worshipped their God of Moses would heal on the Sabbath. And no one had ever been known to restore a blind man’s sight, especially one blind since birth. The rulers could not possibly accept someone that powerful in their midst – the Son of God? . . . the Son of Man? …their God was the God of Moses . . . who was this persons healing the blind? . . . and, on the Sabbath?
I see much of these same dynamics being played out in today’s public square. Whether it is political leaders afraid of losing power and contorting truths from a place of fear. Or, certain church leaders setting determining factors for who is and who is not legitimate as a Christian leader. Jesus was so radical that He scared the leaders of the Temple and of society, as well. Those are just some of the highlights, this would make a good study for discussion and going much deeper.
The first of the Ten Commandments is still: “I am the Lord, your God. You shall not have false gods before Me.”
And the Fourth is still: “Remember to keep Holy the Sabbath”.
Some things to ponder as you enter into the second half of Lent:
Do you have any false gods that come before God?
Do you keep holy the Sabbath?
Do you set this day aside to just do things that help you focus on God?
Do you let work sneak in?
Do you let distractions keep you from prayer or scripture study?
What are some ways you can keep the next two Sundays/Sabbaths holy?
April 2nd is Palm Sunday. Will you be prepared to welcome Jesus into your heart, as the early believers did with their cloaks and palms? “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.” Matthew 21:9
May you continue to be blessed as you continue along your Lenten journey.