Calendar

Laetare means "rejoice," and on this Sunday we take a break from the austerity of Lent and add some color: rose vestments on the clergy and flowers on the altar.

At the morning services today, we have the story of the man born blind, given sight by Jesus.

In a 2002 sermon, the Rector points out two important developments in this story: "First, there is the blind beggar who is given sight, and who then progressively sees ever more clearly in every way that it is possible to see, including insight. Second, there are Jesus’ adversaries, who have physical eyesight but who, in their determined opposition to Jesus, become increasingly blind. The story contrasts the progress of faith with the progress of unbelief."

See: Faith with Open Eyes (2002) by Fr Mead

Collect:

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which giveth life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

At the morning services this year for the Fifth Sunday in Lent, we have the account of Christ's raising Lazarus from the dead, a resuscitation more than a resurrection, insofar as Lazarus would live only to die again. Still, it is here that Christ makes it clear to Martha that he is "the resurrection and the life."

The irony is that this life-giving event led directly to the crucifixion of Christ; his enemies were now more than ever determined to kill him. Yet, it is by the way of the cross that Christ defeated death, once and for all. So, the raising of Lazarus is very much a sign of what it to come, made complete in Christ. Lazarus' death led to more life before death; but Christ's death led to the death of death, to life beyond death. Death no more.

See:

The Strange World of the Resurrection by Fr Austin (2010)
Jesus is Life by Fr Mead (2005)
Come Forth, to Life! by Fr Mead (2002)

Collect:

O Almighty God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men: Grant unto thy people that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The liturgies on the morning of the Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday) are designed by the Book of Common Prayer (as are the liturgies of all Sundays) to take us through the week to come. So, since this is Holy Week, Palm Sunday covers both the triumphant entry into Jerusalem (the Blessing of the Palms and the Palm Procession) as well as Christ's Passion (which we unpack each day of the week to come, especially on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday). The idea here is that a person could attend church only on Sundays and still participate in the entirety of Holy Week and Easter: Palm Sunday takes us through Christ's Crucifixion, and then Easter Sunday celebrates Christ's Resurrection.

Of course, we're not suggesting you skip the rest of Holy Week—indeed, we encourage you to spend the entire week with us. But if you are wondering why the morning liturgies on Palm Sunday end with Christ Crucified, you now have your answer: the church is structured so that Sunday worshippers get the gist. If you seek more than the gist, you're in luck: at Saint Thomas, we know how to dwell. Come and worship with us all week long. You won't regret it.

Collect:

Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

As you dwell on today's Gospel from Saint John, you might find these sermons helpful:

Divine Thunder by Fr Mead (2009)
Lift High the Cross by Fr Mead (2008)
The Hour Has Come by Fr Austin (2007)
The Law of Life through Death by Fr Mead (2006)

Collect:

O God, who by the passion of thy blessed Son didst make an instrument of shameful death to be unto us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.