Fourth Sunday of Lent
TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION
	Today, “Laetare Sunday,” breaks the somberness of Lent for a little rejoicing, and the readings all summon us to an awareness of reconciliation. One of the best-loved stories of our tradition is today’s Gospel story of the runaway son and the prodigal father. Prodigal, of course, is an adjective meaning “spendthrift or extravagant to a degree bordering on recklessness,” and although the boy maxes out the credit cards, it is really the father who is prodigal with forgiveness.
	Part of the excitement of this Laetare Sunday is rooted in the ancient catechumenate. Long ago, midway through Lent, the “elect” were focusing more and more on the gift of reconciliation accomplished for them by Christ and about to be realized in the Easter sacraments they were preparing to celebrate. In some places, the elect were even bedecked with roses on this day. A person bedecked with roses sticks out in a crowd; a person formed by the Eucharist and committed to living a life of reconciliation does, too. That’s you!
—James Field