Laetare Sunday {4th Sunday of Lent}
The 4th Sunday of Lent is called "Laetare Sunday".
"Rejoice" is the first word of today´s entrance
antiphon, and we rejoice because we know that the
love God bears for us is stronger than any trials,
hardships, or sufferings we may endure, even death.
We know that the suffering and death of Jesus we
are preparing for holds the greatest victory
imaginable: our salvation.
The boundless love of God is on full display in the
readings today. Although the chosen people “added
infidelity to infidelity”, God showed His forgiveness
and mercy again and again. The Lord of History
shows his compassion through King Cyrus of Persia
who put an end to the Exile and deportation of the
people, and even restore the holy city of Jerusalem.
Paul testifies that our salvation comes from the great
love God has for us. The Gospel gives us the joy of
knowing that "God so loved the world that he gave
his only Son".
On March 1 Archbishop Luis Ladaria, S.J., Director
of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
made public a document concerning salvation. This
document in line with the tradition of the Church
reaffirms that salvation is a gift freely given by God
and it is given through the Church. That is, we
cannot achieve salvation on our own, not matter how
good we are. It is because we are sinful that we have
been given the gift of redemption. Jesus died for our
sins. Since ancient times as the Book of Chronicles
tells us, people "added infidelity to infidelity"; Paul
also testifies when he says that "even when we were
dead through our trespasses, God made us alive
together with Christ.” We can't understand our lives
except by the great merciful love of God.
Reflecting on these same texts Pope Francis states
that "God's love knows no limits." Since we were
created in the image and likeness of God, God
himself has rescued us from the consequences of sin
and evil. Through his Son, God has given us the
greatest gift: our salvation. Hence we are called to be
"people of hope" because the merciful love of God
has saved us.
Although Nicodemus was not yet a believer but
curious, he approached Jesus in the middle of the
night. Jesus meanwhile took the opportunity to speak
of faith and a new birth. Significantly, this passage
ends with a lesson about living in the light. In
approaching Jesus, who is "the light of the world,"
Nicodemus comes to the light and is not only
enlightened, but also is led gently to true faith. As
we approach the celebration of Holy Week, may the
encounter with the merciful love of God lead us to
the salvation that is given in the Church.

Fr. Hernan P., S.J.