Rector's Rambling - March 14th, 2010

Happy Laetare Sunday! This Sunday is also known as Rose Sunday (take a look at the vestments and hangings today to figure out this title), and in our mother Church of England it is known as Mothering Sunday (like our Mother’s day in May).
Still a Sunday in Lent, this Sunday is a mid-point when we “lighten up” a bit. The deep penitential purple vestments are replaced with the lighter rose. The Latin title gives us a hint as to this lightening up of the day. Laetare is the opening word of the liturgy in Latin, on which our Liturgy is based. The first word of the Introit, sung by the choir at the 10am Service, is “REJOICE”.
Although a penitential season, on this Sunday we rejoice that we have passed the half-way point of Lent. We rejoice because Passiontide (the last two weeks before Easter) and Holy Week are in sight. We rejoice because Easter is just around the corner. We rejoice because to date we have kept a good Lent OR because we still have a chance to have a good Lent starting today. But above all we rejoice because we have a Saviour, Jesus Christ, who paid the price of our sin. We rejoice that in Jesus Christ we have forgiveness of those sins and are reconciled unto the Father through His blood.
Speaking of rejoicing, we will be celebrating, in anticipation, the feast of that great Saint of Ireland, St. Patrick. Be sure to join us downstairs after the 10am service for a Corned Beef and Cabbage Luncheon. All are welcome for this time of lightening up and enjoying yourself among our happy fellowship.