General. This Sunday ushers in the glory which will appear over Jerusalem when Jesus is raised on the Cross and wins us life everlasting. It is known as Laetare (Joy) Sunday as it precisely occurs in the middle of the time of heart-heaviness for our sins caused by the fasting and penance done during Lent. We should indeed rejoice because the Easter Joy is fast approaching. We should also rejoice because we form part of our Mother Church which has borne us into the Way leading to the Heavenly Jerusalem through the sacrament of Baptism.

First Book of Samuel. The choices God makes supersede those our logical minds conceive, because God looks at a person’s heart, his sentiments, and His salvific plan for humanity. In accepting history as moulded by God, the Christian would be accepting His Will which is also a sign of redemption in a person’s particular case. Jesus accepted the Father’s Will in the garden at Gethsemane and this made him the true Son of God who was obedient to his mission.

St Paul to the Ephesians. This is a significant reading coming only a few weeks before the Easter Vigil when we celebrate the victory of Light over darkness. The reading ushers in Easter, coming as a ray of hope on this Sunday which is reminding us that the Paschal Triduum is fast at hand. Christ’s Light, which is the Light of God and of the early morning star, fills all Christians with the joy of resurrection of body and soul which will abandon the abominable doing of darkness.

St John. The story of the person who was blind since birth is a catechesis of the early Church demonstrating Christ’s power over nature. It also proclaims Jesus as the light of the world who gives of his own light to those who desire it. Before arriving at the stage of Baptism in early times, it was imperative that a catechumen was to be fully aware of the sway of evil over him, to know his sins fully and to pray God for forgiveness and redemption. Only then would he receive God’s grace through the sacrament of Baptism (washing at the pool of Siloam). Baptism too was a rite performed during the Easter Vigil in remembrance of the Risen Christ’s redemptive powers.

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