Fourth Sunday In Lent
The Latin name for this Sunday is “Laetare,” which means “rejoicing!” One explanation for our rejoicing during Lent is that Easter is approaching and the Church could no longer contain her joy. This is also a time when Spring begins and we rejoice over the resurrection of nature. The heavenly Giver is preparing to bring an increase of food to our fields. But springtime is only a dim picture of the life that the Easter message gives to the soul through the promise of God’s forgiveness in Christ and of eternal life.
The Introit: The Introit begins with the call to rejoice for joy with Jerusalem, taken from Psalm 122. We also can be glad to go to the house of the Lord, where we will hear the message of the Gospel telling us what great things Jesus has done to save us from sin.
The Collect: Today’s collect is one of refreshment. It begins with a stern note of reality: that we deserve to be punished—both here on earth and hereafter in eternity—on account of our evil deeds. Yet, as children of God, we pray for relief in the full forgiveness that Jesus won on the cross for all people. Relief suggests that a burden is lifted from us so that we have comfort and hope. Jesus took that burden and gave us rest.
The Gradual repeats the words of the Introit. Those who are set free from the Law and given the Bread of Life rejoice in the peace God has given them. They trust in the Lord and know that God is with them forever.
The Proper Communion Preface for Lent states that Jesus gave salvation on the tree of the cross. For death came from a tree when Adam ate its fruit; but a greater than Adam has come, who by death on a tree has overcome and has given us life.
The Paraments are purple to symbolize the season of true repentance that is an important part of preparing to celebrate Easter. True repentance is a genuine sorrow over sin and a sincere faith in Jesus as their Savior. The purple color also reminds us of the terrible sufferings Jesus endured by giving Himself as a sacrifice for our sins.