THEOLOGICAL CLUE

The Fourth Sunday in Lent used to go by two names. The first came from the Introit for the Day - Laetare, or "Rejoicing" Sunday; it meant that the faithful pilgrims, who were keeping Lent, were halfway to their goal, the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord. This Sunday also became known as "Refreshment" Sunday, because the Lenten fast was more than half completed and the two-week period of the Passion of our Lord was only one week away. It might have been called "Recharge" Sunday, when those who were earnestly participating in the discipline of Lent had their "spiritual batteries" recharged in preparation for the final approach to Holy Week, the cross of Good Friday, and the empty tomb of Easter. Although there is no introit to announce a "theme-name" for the Sund…