Believe in Christ, The Light of the World
Brethren, today’s Sunday is traditionally called Laetare Sunday. It is called so following the first word of the opening antiphon: "Rejoice, Jerusalem and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were mourning, exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast." Laetare means Rejoice and therefore this Sunday is a Sunday of joy. It marks the half of the Lenten season (though strictly speaking, it is on Thursday of the third Sunday of Lent) and Easter is enticingly nearby. The vestments worn by the celebrant are rose-colored, not traditional purple. This Sunday is also important because it is the day of the second scrutiny in preparation for the baptism of adults at the Easter Vigil. Laetare Sunday is paralleled to Gaudete Sunday.
The joy of this Sunday is a symbol of life, amidst all sadness in life, there is always some joy. More still the joy of this Sunday is an anticipation of the joy we shall have at the receiving of the light of Christ at Easter. Our invitation is not to give up on our Lenten preparations and also to fasten the belts, to do more of what Lenten period requires us if we have not been doing them and prepare thoroughly for the light of Christ at Easter, so that we shall no longer walk in darkness but only in the light of Christ.
This is reflected in today’s gospel, Christ is the light of the world, and all those who believe in him will not walk in darkness anymore. However, they are those who have preferred darkness to light and the gospel tells us that it is because their works are evil and for everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. Today’s invitation is to examine our lives and see if we have really rejected the light of Christ, and Christ himself. If yes, what are those evil things which we do not want to be exposed if we accept Christ? Shun them, accept Christ, repent and then together we move to the glorious Easter to receive the light of the risen Christ. It is the passage from the darkness of sin and error to the Light of God, who is the Risen Christ.
The good news is that Christ is always waiting for us to return to him and accept him as our savior because it is the salvation of sinners that brought him into the world. The Gospel tells us that God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. Therefore, it is never late to accept him as the light of the world and as our Saviour, he will surely welcome us and give us life everlasting. Just as the Israelites in the desert were looking at a bronze serpent and got healed so it is to us when we look at Christ our Saviour at the cross, we obtain our salvation. Remember God’s judgement depends on our choices, if we choose Christ, we choose life and if we don't choose Christ then we have chosen death; God never rejoices in the death of a person but as the Gospel tells us that whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Reflect today on the joy we shall have at the receiving of the light of Christ at Easter and on how you are prepared to receive that light. Have you accepted Jesus Christ as our Saviour the only Son of God and the light of the world? Do you prefer to stay walking in darkness because of your sins or you want to accept Christ the light of the world so that you will walk in his light eternally? Pray for the graces of God and his Holy Spirit to guide you as you reflect.
Let Us Pray
Loving Lord, your love is beyond comparison for you sent your only begotten Son to us to save us from our sins, and to enable us to walk in your light always. Help us to accept and believe in him with our whole selves, as a sign of appreciation for your wonderful love for us. Guide our steps as we walk towards the glorious resurrection of your Son our Saviour and Lord. Amen
Blessed Sunday.
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