2025-03-30 Fourth Sunday of Lent

The fourth Sunday in Lent is always Laetare Sunday. Traditionally, this Sunday has been a day of celebration within the austere period of Lent, and gets its name from the first word (Latin for rejoice) of the traditional entrance verse for the Mass of the day. The psalm sets the tone: “Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sin is put away!” Happy are those who have “become the righteousness of God” in the merits of Christ Jesus. Happy are those for whom the forgiveness of God has “rolled away . . . the disgrace of former times. Happy is the father at the return of his prodigal son. Happy are we that our sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake. Rejoice! Streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-702122. All rights reserved. Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Copyright 2006. Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress.