THEOLOGICAL CLUE

The clue to the theme for worship and preaching this Sunday comes more from the general theme of Lent than it does from any theological content of this Sunday. Before Vatican II, the Fourth Sunday in Lent was known as Laetare Sunday, the mid-point in Lent, and was known as "Refreshment Sunday;" The purpose of this Sunday was to gather strength for the final stages of the Lenten pilgrimage. Therefore, the Introit could declare, with one of the Songs of the Pilgrims, (Psalm 122, a Psalm of Ascents), "Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her.... I was glad when they said unto me: Let us go into the house of the Lord." Lent was half over, the conclusion of the Lenten fast was in sight; there was, indeed, cause for rejoicing, because soon the death and resurrection of t…