Laetare is
the first word in the entrance antiphon — meaning “rejoice” — in the Latin
text. On Laetare Sunday (as similarly with the Third Sunday of Advent’s Gaudete
Sunday) the Church expresses hope and joy in the midst of our Lenten fasts and
penances. Call it pink — or, more fittingly, rose — this change in color
indicates a glimpse of the joy that awaits us at Easter, just before we enter
into the somber days of Passiontide.
This Sunday we hear the story of the Prodigal Son. The
most familiar parable Jesus ever told. It is a story that we all know. The younger
son hurts his father and the family, he gets his inheritance and throws it all away.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God. The older son is the one we most often
identify with – we recognize his pain, his feelings were hurt, he feels neglected.
This parable reminds us that the one thing that can separate us from God is
ourselves. We can separate ourselves from God. God is always there waiting to
celebrate our lives, welcoming us home. The younger son came to his senses once
he was hungry while his brother ranted and raved at his father. Yet the father
only shows them compassion and concern.
The father treated his sons very much the way God cares
for each of us. God’s love is always present. The love God has for each one of
us is not dependent on how good we are or if we do everything right. No matter
what God keeps loving us. God is there for us in good times, difficult times,
no matter what. Let us always remember that God’s love and care are always
present. Let us take some time today or at some point during the remainder of
Lent to take some time to be present to God and be open to God’s love.
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