Laetare Jersusalem...
Rejoice, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her: rejoice with joy, you that have been in sorrow: that you may exult, and be filled from the breasts of your consolation (Is. 66:10,11). I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: we shall go into the house of the Lord (Is. 66:10,11).
Today, the Fourth Sunday of Lent ("Laetare Sunday," from the first word of the Introit, or Opening Prayer), marks the half-way point during our penitential journey in preparation for the joy of Easter. We pause to reflect on the Lord's coming glory. For one Sunday, vestments change (rose instead of penitential violet), polyphony returns, and flowers return to the altar. I think the Church uses this Sunday, in part, to remind us that even in times of darkness, God is with us. He is our source of consolation and of joy. He is the source of our redemption.