If you pay attention to the order of service at the 11am Festal Eucharist, you’ll notice that it includes (for the first time this Church Year) the Summary of the Law (Matthew 22:37-40) and the Comfortable Words (Matthew 11:28, John 3:16, 1 Timothy 1:15 and 1 John 2:1-2). Why do these suddenly appear in the liturgy when, on typical Sunday mornings at Saint Thomas, they are not said? Because these words are indeed a comfort to all faithful who are penitent, and therefore are appropriate for this Sunday of joy and comfort in the midst of a penetential season. You’ll hear the same words said in Lent, on Laetare Sunday, which is the Lenten equivalent to Advent’s Gaudete.
Joy also permeates the Liturgy of the Word. Notice, for example, that both the Old Testament Lesson and the Epistle for Year C have the word “rejoice” in them‚ Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem [Zephaniah 3:14] and Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice [Philippians 4:4].
