The profundity of Christ’s mercy can be life changing if we allow it to sink in. Even when we are left to the natural consequences of our sin, in His mercy Jesus spares us the full impact of those consequences. He permits that which He can later use to bring us back into covenant with Him.
It is a paradoxical truth that between suppression of the past and obsession with the future lies the present moment where grace abounds.
For too many years I merely saw Easter as a relief from fasting and abstaining while I rushed to the freezer to thaw out my favorite chocolate candies! Now instead of chocolates, the paradox of the Cross cries out for my attention.
Lent is a time to reflect upon how we have changed in relation to God. It is a time to ask the question: Do I want to look Catholic or be Catholic?
Laetare Sunday is our day to recollect in the reality of true love existing in a hostile world. Jesus chose to suffer and die for us so that one day we will be resurrected in Him and live eternally in praise of our Father. By His grace, we experience moments of that now; a foretaste of Heaven to help us persevere.