This Sunday is traditionally known as Laetare Sunday from the first word of the Entrance Antiphon—Laetare (“Rejoice”), taken from the Latin translation of Isaiah 66:10-11, and sets a joyful anticipation for Easter.
Nevertheless, we are still in Lent and need to be vigilant. Several weeks ago we saw Jesus being tempted by the devil, and Pope Francis had some thoughts about the devil and evil upon which it would be good to reflect: “Jesus came to destroy the devil, to give us the freedom from the enslavement the devil has over us. And this is not exaggerating… There is a battle and a battle where salvation is at play eternal salvation of us all.”
“Three criteria: Do not confuse the truth, Jesus fights the devil: first criterion. Second criterion: he who is not with Jesus is against Jesus. There are no attitudes in the middle. Third criterion: vigilance over our hearts because the devil is astute. He is never cast out forever. It will only be on the last day.”
So today as we rejoice on Laetare Sunday because Easter draws near, let us be wary of the devil. As the pope said, “Do not relativize; be vigilant! And always with Jesus!”
- Fr. Carl
“Every human life is precious in God’s sight and no effort should be spared in the attempt to promote throughout the world a genuine respect for the inalienable rights and dignity of individuals and peoples everywhere.”
Pope Benedict XVI, Letter to Cardinal Dolan
on the Occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the
Somber Events of September 11, 2001
