1. "Laetare Ierusalem" - Rejoice, Jerusalem (Cf. Isaiah 66,10). This is the
invitation that resounds at the beginning of today's Sunday Mass, called
for this reason traditionally "Laetare Sunday." We are now half way in
the Lenten road and the invitation to joy encourages us to continue
without interruption in the penitential road toward Easter. As happens
in a pilgrimage, so in Lent, exhaustion on the road does not decrease,
but rather increases the joy of moving towards the goal.
"Rejoice, Jerusalem ..." In the past days, I also experienced the joy of
being a pilgrim from Rome to the Holy Land, laying a bridge between the
two focal points of the Great Jubilee of 2000, Rome and Jerusalem. The
spiritual joy I have in my heart for such a grace is profound, and for
that I continually thank the Lord. Moreover, I am grateful to all those
who accompanied me with prayer. In those moments and in those places I
felt the whole Church with me.
2. "Exult and rejoice, you who were in sorrow." This gladness, about
which the liturgy speaks on this fourth Sunday of Lent, stems from the
awareness of the mystery of love that is before us, and that today
echoes in the words of John's Gospel: "For God so loved the world that
He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but
have eternal life" (John 3,16). How can one not be attracted by this love?
God does not want the death of the sinner, but that he convert and live.
In order to live, people must turn to Him, they must abandon ways that
degrade their dignity and return to the Father's house.
This is the meaning of the Jubilee, which has entered its most intense
phase during this Lenten time. This is very visible in Rome: the Holy
Doors of the four major Basilicas welcome without interruption ever more
numerous pilgrims. The same is happening in the dioceses in every part
of the world. It could be said that Christians everywhere are on the
road, either as individuals or as the people of God.
3. In this Jubilee pilgrimage chorale, the Most Blessed Virgin Mary
precedes us and encourages us as a tender and merciful Mother. May we
learn from her to "quicken" our step toward Christ, Whom we shall
contemplate at Easter as dead and risen for us. In the darkest moments
may we cherish the memory of God's invitation: "Rejoice... the Lord is
with you." Blessed Virgin, "cause of our joy," help us to follow Christ
faithfully to receive fully the gift of Easter joy.
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