Each Sunday in Lent has a focus which is revealed in the psalm appointed and in the name for that Sunday, which is the first word of the psalm in Latin. This upcoming Sunday, the fourth Sunday in Lent is Laetare, from Psalm 66: “Rejoice!”
God does not command His people to rejoice because He wants us to make Him feel like we are happy with life as He provides it. The command to rejoice, like all of God’s commands, is a command that God Himself fulfills by the power of His grace in our lives. Lent is a season that increases our gratitude for God’s saving work as we grow in honesty about the depth of our need for His grace.
Gratitude is the energy of love. God’s love for us inspires gratitude and gratitude in us is the energy of love for others. What a cause for rejoicing as God leads us toward Easter.