Dear Parishioners and Friends,

At this mid-point of Lent we pause to rejoice.   This Sunday, which parallels a similar Sunday in Advent, is known as Laetare i.e. Rejoice Sunday.  It is a tradition to replace the stark violet vestments on this day with rose colored ones.  The name comes from the traditional entrance chant, or Introit, which begins in Latin with the words “Rejoice Jerusalem” from Isaiah 66:10-11.  Today, we can already anticipate the joy of Easter.   All of our Lenten observances have not been in vain, but are the means that lead our souls into the loving, joyful embrace of our Lord.  It is all worth it after all.  Grace works. Therefore, we are encouraged to stay the course on the tried-and-true way no matter how difficult it may be.  The cross leads to eternal joy in heaven.  And we can already taste it now.  Virtue is its own reward.

The Gospel of John, chapter nine, relates the account of the cure of the blind man.  There is a profound theological meaning to this encounter with the Lord similar to that of the Samaritan woman at the well.  The blind man represents all of humanity, Everyman, as it were.   Without Christ we are in the dark, unable to see clearly. We can make foolish and foolhardy choices.   At worst the choice of sin prevents us from being who we are capable of being.  To oppose God and to make decisions in opposition to Him is to plunge ourselves into spiritual, moral, and psychological darkness and sadness.   There is only one sure cure:   Jesus.  Jesus evidently turns sadness into joy.  This miracle is for all.

Only Jesus can forgive the darkness of sin and heal our spiritual blindness.  Only Jesus can restore our spiritual sight and bring us into the light.  Only Jesus gives us the power to see spiritually and morally in this world and grasp God’s eternal plan.  Only Jesus can break the barrier between heaven and earth.  Only Jesus can be our light and the light of the whole world.  Apart from Him is darkness now and for some eternal darkness. The question:  do I embrace the cure or not?  This light is pure joy now and forever. No wonder we rejoice in His saving and healing graces.  We have nowhere else to go.  Jesus, you love us so much.

During the time that remains in Lent let us be more attentive to living our lives in union with the Lord, in obedience to the Gospel. At the end of Lent during Holy Week we will reaffirm who we are in Christ.  Let us rejoice!  

Yours in the Lord,

Fr.  Mark G. Mazza, Pastor