READINGS FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR A, LAETARE SUNDAY, (MOTHER’S DAY), SUNDAY 15TH MARCH, 2026.
First Reading 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13
Psalm 22
Second Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14
Gospel: John 9:1-41
REFLECTION BY FR CORNELIUS NWAOGWUGWU, CM.
THE AFRICAN CHAPLAINCY, CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBLIN, CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY 2026.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today is the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year A. It is called Laetare Sunday. Laetare Sunday simply means “Rejoice Sunday.” It comes from the Latin word laetare, meaning “rejoice” or “be glad.” Laetare Sunday interrupts Lent with a quiet burst of joy. It reminds us that even in life’s deserts, God’s grace keeps breaking through. We pause to notice light returning, hope stirring and love already at work within us. This day teaches that our longing for God is met by God’s longing for us and that every step through Lent leads towards renewal, not despair.
With joy and gratitude to God, we gather in this Parish Church of Immaculate Conception, Clondalkin, for the celebration of the Mother’s Day 2026 in the African Chaplaincy, Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin.
We respectfully welcome Very Rev. Fr. Paul Roche, CM and thank him for accepting to be the chief celebrant and homilist for our Mother’s Day Mass this Year.
We welcome all our priests and religious, guests and the entire members of the African Chaplaincy here and those viewing online to the celebration of the Mother’s Day 2026.
Today, as the African Chaplaincy gathers to celebrate Mothering Sunday, we honour the women who have carried us, guided us and shaped our faith. In African culture, motherhood is not only biological. A mother is anyone who nurtures life, protects the weak, strengthens the community and keeps hope alive. This spirit of motherhood is also at the heart of today’s Liturgical Scriptural Readings.
In the first book of Samuel, God sends Samuel to anoint a new king. Samuel is impressed by outward appearance, but God teaches him a deeper truth: “The Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” This is the vision of motherhood. Mothers see potential where others see weakness. They see the heart. They see with love. They see with God’s eyes. Many of our African mothers have raised “Davids”, children who were overlooked, underestimated, or far from home, yet chosen by God for greatness. Their faith, sacrifice and wisdom continue to guide us also here in Dublin. (1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13).
Today’s Psalm reminds us that motherhood carries both joy and suffering. The psalmist cries out in pain but ends in trust. Many mothers know this journey well. They pray through tears. They hope against hope. They carry the burdens of their families, yet they continue to believe that God is near. Mary, our Mother, walked this same path from the Annunciation to the Cross. She teaches us that God’s love remains even in darkness. (Psalm 22).
In the Second Reading, St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians calls us “children of light.” Mothers are often the first bearers of that light. They teach us values that shape our identity. Mothers teach us values of respect, hospitality, courage and faith. These African values are Gospel values. To live as children of light means rejecting anything that destroys life and choosing what brings healing, peace, unity and hope. (Ephesians 5:8-14).
In the Gospel according to John, Jesus heals the man born blind. Others see sin; Jesus sees a child of God. This Gospel challenges us to examine our own vision. Do we see people with God’s eyes or with human judgment? Do we see the dignity of every mother, every child and every stranger? Mary, the Mother of Jesus, helps us see with faith. She saw God’s promise even when the path was unclear. She saw the needs of others before they spoke. She saw love even at the Cross.
Today, we honour all mothers living or dead. We salute all mothers biological, spiritual, adoptive and communal. We thank them. We bless them. We commit ourselves to seeing with God’s eyes and walking in God’s light.
May God bless all our mothers today and always. Amen. Happy Mother’s Day.
Fr. Cornelius Nwaogwugwu, CM.