THE REASONS TO REJOICE IN OUR MORE THAN MID JOURNEY THROUGH THE LENTEN DESERT............

The Year of the Lord 2012 being a Leap Year makes today the 4th Sunday of Lent, rather than the Memorial of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, who the liturgical calendar commemorates sandwiched between the feast days of St. Patrick yesterday, and St. Joseph tomorrow.  The 4th Sunday of Lent which in Latin is named, 'Laetare Sunday', meaning "Rejoice", is a reminder that amidst the penitential acts of Lent we carry out in answering the call to Contrition, Conversion, and Sacrifice, the Joy of the New and Risen Life of Jesus Christ of Easter this year, is now more than fifty percent closer than it was on Ash Wednesday.  It also reassures all who bear the heavier crosses of pain, illness, disease, or disability,  that the winter of afflictions and limitations is not permanent for those who believe in the Love of the Living and True God.  The reconciliation we make during the remainder of Lent with our Heavenly Father, the Co-Eternal Son, and their Holy Spirit,  and with those we have hurt by our sins prepares us to share more holistically in the renewal that Easter on earth and in the eternity of God's Kingdom to come.  Despite the heaviness of whatever crosses you may be enduring this Lent, may this day and every succeeding day, bring you increasing joy and the lifting of the limitations  which you are  currently enduring............Fr.  Troy