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Texts of the Readings
March 26,
2006
Fourth Sunday in
Lent (B)
Betty Jane Lillie, S.C
2 Chr 36:14-16,19-23
X
Ps 137:1-6
X
Eph
2:4-10 X
Jn 3:14-21
The Fourth
Sunday of Lent is called Laetare Sunday from the Latin for
Rejoice. The term is taken from an oracle in Third Isaiah that begins
with the word “Rejoice” and describes the city of Jerusalem under the
metaphor of a mother. (Is 66:10-11). The restoration of the city enabled
her to provide for all her people with abundance and joy.
As we move
through Lent we now draw closer to the celebration of the Paschal Mysteries
of Easter time. We will rejoice in our redemption from a kind of exile from
which our world has emerged to renewal of life in Christ. Our first reading
is the Chronicler’s view of Jerusalem’s fall and exilic experience which was
eventually succeeded by the return of the exiles to their homeland. The
Chronicler’s work ends on a note of hope which may have been added by
another hand so that the text would end on a joyous theme.
The Psalm response is based on the greatest communal lament in
the Psalter. It is a lament over the city of Jerusalem that reflects the
absolute devastation of the exiles in Babylon. It also reflects, though
more by inference, their latent devotion to their city and their
traditions. Their sacred purpose is never to forget them and to set
Jerusalem above their highest joy. (Ps 137)
Our second reading continues our reflection by advancing the
theme of mercy. As Ephesians puts it, when we were dead through
sinfulness, God made us alive through Christ by grace. Through our
incorporation into Christ we have been raised up in him, and mystically we
are already seated with him in glory. By God’s gift of grace to us we
have become his workmanship so we can walk in good works prepared by him
beforehand.
John’s Gospel passage moves our reflection forward with the
thought that God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that those
who believe in him can have eternal life. The Son became incarnate so as to
bring to humankind the opportunity to participate, in some way, in the life
of God himself.
Further, the Evangelist draws a parallel between the story of
the bronze serpent mounted by Moses in the desert, and Christ lifted up on
the cross. Those who in obedience looked upon the serpent were cured of the
effects of serpent bites. (Num 21:9)
All who look upon Christ on the cross and who believe in him may have
eternal life. (Jn 3:14)
John also draws a contrast between light and darkness. Christ
is the light who has come into the world. Those who love evil avoid light
because the light exposes their evil deeds. The ones who love what is true
come to the light and their deeds can be known as having been wrought in
God.
All of this helps us to consider our Lenten faith journey and to
enter into it at this point with renewed dedication and fervor. Holy Week
and Easter are coming closer. Laetare! Rejoice!
Betty Jane Lillie, S.C.
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