L-omelija tal-Isqof Joseph Galea-Curmi
The Fourth Sunday of Lent is called “laetare”, that is, “rejoice”. What is the reason for this joy, right in the middle of Lent? The reason for this joy is God’s great love for humanity, as today’s Gospel passage tells us: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). This joyful message is the heart of the Christian faith: God’s love reached its pinnacle in the gift of his Son to a weak and sinful humanity. He gave his Son to us, to all of us.
This is what Jesus says in his dialogue with Nicodemus, who came to visit him during the night. Nicodemus, like all the people of Israel, awaited the Messiah, envisioning him as a strong man who would judge the world with power. Instead, Jesus challenges this expectation by presenting himself as the one who is crucified for the salvation of all.
God’s great love
“God so loved the world”. These words lie at the centre of the Christian message: God’s love is great. Even when the situation seems desperate, God offers humanity salvation and joy. Indeed, God does not remain apart from us, but enters our history, in order to infuse it with his grace and save it.
We are called today to listen to this message, rejecting the temptation to think we can do without God, that we are better apart from him. It is the temptation to claim absolute freedom from him and from his Word. When we find the courage to recognise ourselves for what we are, we realise we are people called to take our weaknesses and our limitations into account.
God rich in mercy
It is good to know our limitations and our weaknesses; we must be aware of them, however, not to despair, but to offer them to the Lord. And he helps us on the path of healing; he takes us by the hand, and never abandons us. God is with us, and for this reason we “rejoice” today. We have the true and great hope in God the Father rich in mercy. St Paul reminds us, in his letter to the Ephesians: “God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ” (Eph 2:4). God gave us his Son to save us, and this is our joy. God is greater than our weaknesses and sins. Jesus is on the Cross to heal us.
Let us always look at the Crucified Lord, and let him be the light in the darkness. The Gospel says: “the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light” (John 3:19). We are always faced with this option: choosing either light or darkness. Whoever walks in the light cannot but do good works. The light leads us to do good works. This is what we are called to do with greater dedication during Lent: to welcome the light into our conscience, to open our hearts to God’s infinite love, to his mercy, full of tenderness and goodness, to his forgiveness.
The important contribution of the National Council of Women
Today, in this laetare Sunday, we are also rejoicing on the sixtieth anniversary of the National Council of Women of Malta founded in 1964. During these years, it has sought to improve the quality of life for all, with a particular focus on promoting equality of opportunity for women and enabling them to participate effectively at all levels, and in all aspects of the life of the community.
The National Council of Women has provided a forum for women of different backgrounds and experiences to come together as individuals and as representatives of affiliated organizations, to exchange information and ideas, formulate policy, educate, and promote change. It has worked hard to improve the status of women and the well-being of society; to present a broad and comprehensive view of women’s opinions on matters of national interest based on human rights.
A witness of human and Christian values
We thank God that, over the years, the National Council of Women has always been a witness of human and Christian values in Malta. I encourage you all to continue promoting a deep respect for the dignity and rights of women – of all women, Maltese and non-Maltese.
I mention, in a special way, women who are victims of substance abuse, living today in a society which, in real life, promotes such an abuse and calls it a form of recreation when, in actual fact, it is a form of de-creation. I highlight the plight of the victims of domestic violence, who should never accept their degrading situation but need help to be set free. I also emphasise the need to safeguard those women who have not yet been born, but are already alive after conception. These women are among the most vulnerable and dependent, and they need protection; we have just read, sadly, they are constitutionally discarded even by people who profess the values of liberté, égalité, fraternité.
While thanking God today, let us pray for all those who are active in the National Council of Women, that they will continue to be an inspiration in Malta today, and bring the light of God’s love and truth and beauty into the reality of the lives of others who long to have comfort, forgiveness, help and truth.
✠ Joseph Galea-Curmi
Auxiliary Bishop of Malta