Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Under the classic plan of the church year, the Fourth Sunday in Lent brought the second section of Lent (the first section of Lent was, in effect, the three "gesima" Sundays) to a close and prepared the way for Judica (Passion Sunday) and the beginning of passion-tide two weeks before Easter. This Sunday was known as Laetare - a kind of rejoicing Sunday, as the psalm/introit indicates: "Rejoice ye with Jerusalem,and be glad with her: all ye that love her. Rejoice for joy with her; all ye that mourn for her.