The Latin word ‘Laetare’ means ‘rejoice.’

Just past the halfway point in Lent, we put aside purple on put on rose — and rejoice. It’s “Laetare Sunday.” Our journey toward Easter is nearing its end. We can see the light, in every sense.
We just started Daylight Savings Time, with an extra hour of light at the end of our day. We hurtle inevitably toward warmth, and growth — and light. The world is awakening.
There is an old Jewish proverb that goes, “God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.” Mothers are the embodiment of God’s light. And this is what we are (start) celebrating today. We are celebrating mothers because through their hands God cares for us when we are in need, through their mouths God speaks to us words of consolation when we are heartbroken, through their heart God pours out to us his unconditional love that never gives up on us. Today we acknowledge and appreciate them and we say, “God bless you mothers.” Happy Mother’s Day!
The entire liturgy today therefore, celebrates the mystery of Christ – the light of the world; the light that dispels the darkness of our minds and our hearts; the light that draws us to walk out of the shadow of our sins. In Jesus we are elevated into a new life. As the man born blind received a new way of experiencing the world. So, as we consider the Scripture Readings of today, let us look at what in our lives is darkness, the places where we are blind and try to shed light on them.
The gospel reminds us: the source of that light is boundless, unfathomable love. That is the beautiful gift we are being offered. Are we willing to accept it? Are we prepared to draw back the curtains and let in the light?