Rejoice!(the word)

Fourth Sunday of Lent (C), March 21, 2004

Readings: Jos 5:9a, 10-12 ; Ps 134:2-7; 2 Cor 4:17-21; Lk 15:1-3, 11-32

The old things have passed away; behold, new things have come (2 Cor 5: 17)

It may seem strange that in the middle of Lent we are told to rejoice. The reason for this is not that we might have a breather from the rigors of penance. (How many of us are even experiencing any real rigors?) Rather, this moment of rejoicing fittingly follows the fundamental theme found in the readings ...