Halfway through Lent the practices we began so full of hope on Ash Wednesday may have lost some of their appeal. They might be feeling burdensome, or have been swept away altogether by the rush of daily life. At this point the church invites us to celebrate Laetare Sunday, offering an opportunity to remind ourselves that the purpose of all our Lent practices is to prepare us to celebrate the Resurrection.
Today’s liturgy reminds us that love is the heart of our faith, and underpins all our Lent practices. In his letter to the Ephesians St Paul writes:
“God loved us with so much love that God was generous with God’s mercy: when we were dead through our sins he brought us to life with Christ…”
That’s not to deny the suffering we experience and inflict on each other, to pretend that everything is fine in our lives or in our world. It offers a deeper and more honest hope than that. It acknowledges our sin and failure. It accepts it and promises that the healing power of God’s love is stronger and deeper than anything our sin can throw up.
However shakily we’re keeping Lent, however messy life might Laetare Sunday calls us to pause and rejoice in being held and supported by God’s love. Held in this love we can face life with hope, even when it might feel hopeless. Supported by this love we can trust that Christ will lead us into the light of new life.
As we celebrate Laetare Sunday where are you aware of the generous love of God being poured into your life?