Reasons to rejoice

4th Sunday of Lent

John 3: 14 - 21

Laetare Sunday means "Rejoice!"

According to the www.fathersforgood.org, the Fourth Sunday of Lent (March 18th) is called Laetare Sunday, when the Church takes a bit of breather from Lenten practice and opens Mass with the Entrance Antiphon, “Rejoice, Jerusalem … Be joyful, all who were in mourning!” – taken from Isaiah chapter 66 (www.fathersforgood.org/ffg/en/big_four/laetare_sunday.html).

Though Jerusalem was captured by the Persians, still Cyrus made a public declaration to build the temple and allow the people to come back and worship in the temple of the Lord.  That's a reason to rejoice.

In the Gospel, no matter how deep the wounds of sin inflict our relationship with God, he wouldn't condemn the world:  "Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.  For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved."

God's love is enough reason for the whole mankind to rejoice.

First, God loves us with an everlasting love.  Let our love for God be permanent and eternal.  Let's acknowledge the permanence of love, a love that reaches eternal life in heaven.

Second, God loves us with a salvific love.  It is supplied for us by Jesus who aimed to save us from sin.  Let's not choosy in the way we love.  Rather, let our relationship be opportunities to save the other and lead him / her to heaven.

Third, God loves us with a sacrificial love.  As Jesus chose to sacrifice his life for love, may we imitate him by suffering on behalf of our brothers and sisters who are poor.  Remember, no one attained salvation by sitting comfortably in a chair.