Scripture Reading
Philippians 4:4-5
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.
Reflection
Laetare Sunday — "Rejoice!" Sunday — interrupts the austerity of Lent with a moment of anticipatory joy. Easter is not far. The rose vestments and the burst of flowers in churches today signal that Christian penitence is never despairing; it is always oriented toward resurrection. Rejoice: the Lord is at hand, and what is coming is worth every act of discipline that preceded it.
Prayer for Today
Heavenly father, I am your humble servant,
I come before you today in need of hope.
I need hope for a calm and joyful future.
I need hope for love and kindness.
I pray for peace and safety.
Some say that the sky is at its
darkest just before the light.
I pray that this is true, for today seems stormy and dim.
I need your light, Lord, in every way.
I pray to be filled with your light.
Help me to walk in your light, and live
my life in faith and service.
In your name I pray, Amen.
I come before you today in need of hope.
I need hope for a calm and joyful future.
I need hope for love and kindness.
I pray for peace and safety.
Some say that the sky is at its
darkest just before the light.
I pray that this is true, for today seems stormy and dim.
I need your light, Lord, in every way.
I pray to be filled with your light.
Help me to walk in your light, and live
my life in faith and service.
In your name I pray, Amen.
Amen.