The fourth Sunday of lent is traditionally known as Laetare Sunday, so-called from the first word of the Entrance Antiphon. Laetare (rejoice), taken from the Latin translation of Isaiah 66, 10-11, sets a tone of joyful anticipation of the Easter mystery.
Some interesting comments after this year’s Ash Wednesday celebrations are; “we should distribute ashes every Sunday”, “if all those participants are coming on Sundays too, our Churches will be full every week”, “where are those people on Sundays?”…
We have to evaluate our faith life and commitment to God, especially in this Lenten season. We are entering into the second half of this lent. How is my Lenten season so far? Am I really prepared to celebrate Easter meaningfully and joyfully? Here comes the important question which we often do not take it seriously. The question is, what is faith? Or what is my faith? Did I ever tried to find an answer to this question other than academic purpose?
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), in the glossary part, faith is defined as, “both a gift of God and a human act by which the believer gives personal adherence to God who invites his response, and freely assents to the whole truth that God has revealed. It is this revelation of God which the Church proposes for our belief, and which we profess in the Creed, celebrate in the Sacraments, live by right conduct that fulfils the twofold commandment of charity and respond to in our prayer of faith.”
In simple words faith is our response to divine revelation. What is revealed? That we find in the Creed. If we say “Yes” to this revelation, we are Catholics. But our responsibility do not end with just saying yes. We have to live and celebrate this faith. Faith is celebrated through the liturgy and sacraments of the Church, especially in the Holy Eucharist.
Faith is lived in accordance with the commandments of God -loving God and neighbor and as a result our social life becomes a noble one.
When we fail to understand the proper meaning of faith, we are turning away from God.
Note: volunteers who wish their feet washed on Holy Thursday during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, may contact the Parish office before Friday, April 8.