4th Sunday of Lent

The 4th Sunday of Lent is also called Laetare Sunday. It is a day of joy in the middle of the season of Lent. The readings remind us that God gives light, hope, and healing. In Year A, Jesus heals a blind man. In Year B, we hear that God sent his Son to save, not to judge. In Year C, the parable of the prodigal son shows God’s mercy.

All three years point to God’s kindness and the new life we receive through Jesus. The 4th Sunday of Lent helps us pause and be glad, even during Lent. It shows that God’s love is bigger than our mistakes. We are called to turn back to God and live in the light of his grace.

Click on the appropriate year below to see resources, themes, homilies, and more. See how to determine the correct year.

4th Sunday of Lent Year A
4th Sunday of Lent Year B
4th Sunday of Lent Year C

Mass Readings for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year A

See resources, homilies, and more for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year A readings here.

• First Reading – 1 Samuel 16:1B, 6-7, 10-13A: The Lord chose David, the youngest son of Jesse, to be king. Samuel anointed him, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 23: The Lord provides for all my needs, guides me, protects me, and blesses me abundantly. I will dwell in his house forever, surrounded by his goodness and mercy.
• Second Reading – Ephesians 5:8-14: You were once in darkness, but now you are in the light of the Lord. Live as children of light, exposing darkness, and Christ will give you light.
• Gospel – John 9:1-41: You were once in darkness, but now you are in the light of the Lord. Live as children of light, exposing darkness, and Christ will give you light.

Mass Readings for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year B

See resources, homilies, and more for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year B readings here.

• First Reading – 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23: Judah’s betrayal of faith led to their exile as Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. God’s warnings were ignored, resulting in captivity. Fulfilling Jeremiah’s prophecy, the exile lasted until Cyrus of Persia decreed the rebuilding of the temple, marking the beginning of the return.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 137: In Babylon’s captivity, we wept for Zion, unable to sing our sacred songs in a foreign land. Forgetting Jerusalem would be my greatest loss, my joy silenced without its memory.
• Second Reading – Ephesians 2:4-10: God, in His mercy, made us alive with Christ, saving us by grace through faith, not by our deeds, to display His grace in Christ. We are created for good works, predestined by God.
• Gospel – John 3:14-21: Jesus taught Nicodemus about salvation, drawing a parallel to Moses’ act in the wilderness, emphasizing the necessity of the Son of Man’s sacrifice for eternal life. He highlighted God’s immense love and the offering of His only Son to save, not condemn, the world. Belief in the Son is the path to salvation, whereas rejection results in condemnation. The choice between light and darkness symbolizes the decisive nature of accepting or rejecting Jesus, with true followers naturally drawn to the light, showcasing lives lived in accordance with God’s will.

Mass Readings for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C

See resources, homilies, and more for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C readings here.

• First Reading – Joshua 5:9A, 10-12: The Israelites celebrated Passover at Gilgal and ate the produce of Canaan. The manna ceased, and they no longer had manna but ate the land’s produce.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 34: Praise the Lord always, for he hears and saves those in need. Seek him and be filled with joy, without shame.
• Second Reading – 2 Corinthians 5:17-21: In Christ, we are new creations. God reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the message of reconciliation. Be reconciled to God through Christ.
• Gospel – Luke 15:1-3, 11-32: Jesus tells a parable about a father with two sons. The younger wastes his inheritance but is welcomed back with joy when he repents. The older son is resentful, but the father explains the need to celebrate the lost being found.

Lookup Other Liturgical Dates in the Lectionary

The Bible and the Lectionary both contain Scripture, but they are used in different ways. The Bible includes all the books of the Old and New Testaments. It can be read in any order for prayer or study. The Lectionary is a book of selected Bible passages arranged for use at Mass. It follows a set schedule. The readings are chosen to match the liturgical seasons and feasts. This helps the Church stay focused on key moments in the life of Jesus and the message of salvation.

The Lectionary is divided by Sundays, weekdays, and special feasts. Each reading has a lectionary number to help track when it is used. Sunday readings follow a three-year cycle: Year A (Matthew), Year B (Mark), and Year C (Luke). Weekday readings follow a two-year cycle. The Gospel of John is read during special seasons. For example, the 4th Sunday of Lent has its own set of readings and lectionary number, helping Catholics prepare during the season.

How to Determine the Liturgical Year

The liturgical cycle is a three-year sequence of A, B, and C.

• 2024 is Year B
• 2025 is Year C
• 2026 is Year A
• 2027 is Year B
• 2028 is Year C
• 2029 is Year A
• 2030 is Year B
• 2031 is Year C
• … and so on

The 4th Sunday of Lent is also called Laetare Sunday. It is a time to pause and be glad during Lent. The color rose is used at Mass to show this joy. The Church gives us hope as we look forward to Easter.

In Year A, Jesus heals a man who was born blind. This shows how Jesus brings light into our lives. In Year B, the Gospel says God sent his Son to save the world, not to condemn it. In Year C, the story of the prodigal son shows God’s mercy and forgiveness.

All these readings tell us that God loves us even when we fail. The 4th Sunday of Lent reminds us that we can always return to God. His love brings healing and new life. We are not alone in our journey.

Lent is a time to reflect and pray. But on this Sunday, we also rejoice in God’s kindness and care.

The 4th Sunday of Lent is a special time to think about light, healing, and mercy. The readings from all three years show how God reaches out to us with love. Take time to read them slowly. Think about how they speak to your life.

Has God brought light to your darkness? Has mercy changed your path? Share your thoughts in the comments. Let others know how you connect with the message of this Sunday. Your story may help someone else.