SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY - 3rd Sunday before Lent –Jan23,2005
RECOLLECTIONS
Although we are still in the month of January, we have completed this year’s very brief season of Epiphany, and now begin the often misunderstood season of the “Gesima Sundays.” There is little agreement among different churches as to the importance and necessity of observing these three Sundays, even though, within the Church, they date back to the 6th Century, in Rome, shortly after the invasion of Italy by the Lombards, (568 A.D.) It was a time of upheaval, destruction, countless deaths, both at the hands of the barbarians and from diseases, pestilences, famine, and earthquakes and their aftermath. People despaired of hope for a better future, and many felt the whole world was ending with no hope of God’s deliverance for them. The Church decreed a time of fasting, confession of sins with repentance, and unceasing prayers. The Lessons chosen to be read in the Church services reflected the dire circumstances of the people.
Hope of rescue from their desperate circumstances and finally, rescue for their souls was foremost in the Scripture lessons chosen by the clergy for worship services. These readings have come along to us today from the Roman rite, passing into the medieval Missals and from these into our Prayer Book. Actually, today this seems to be pretty good timing, what with wars, earthquakes and other natural disasters and severe winter weather causing much the same human reactions in many parts of the globe. Humans still cry out to God, “Save us! Relieve our suffering!” “God have mercy upon us!”
Some of the Scripture readings are actually older than those from the 6th century, due to changes from old to newer calendars. In the 6th century, in the old Roman Calendar March was counted as the first month in each year. Rome observed a Lenten season of six weeks, while many Easterners, living in Italy, observed Lent for eight weeks.
The three “Gesima Sundays,” or the Pre-Lenten period, may have been adopted by Rome due to the influence of Eastern Christians.
So, why do we need to observe the three Sunday-long pre-Lent period today? Many major churches, including ECUSA, tossed the “Gesima Sundays” out of their churches and unto their scrap heap years ago. We are made of sterner stuff, and still find value in this ancient course of Scripture readings. Please read through the “proper Propers” again, and note the main message contained in them.
Read our Old Testament Lesson, Joshua 1: 1-9. Note how God tells Joshua to “be strong, and very courageous,” repeating His message three times in the nine verses. He also assured Joshua to “be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
The Collect, (page 118, 1928 BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER,) points out that anyone who does wrong, will be justly “punished” for his offences, and that is what we should expect to happen. We pray for mercy from God. A better word, “afflicted” could be substituted for “punished”.
With the approach of the Lenten Season, we are urged to “toughen ourselves” to prepare for the Lenten disciplines. We are to practice more self-discipline, much as a person in physical training for a sports contest. St. Paul uses this comparison in his Epistle, (I Corinthians, 9: 24-27.) He warns that fortitude, self-control, and endurance of privation are needed as much for spiritual victory as for athletic contests of runners and boxers. Mgr. Ronald Knox has made the comment that ‘Septua- gesima has an epistle which warns us that it is never too late to be damned, and a Holy Gospel which tells us that it is never too late to be saved.’ *(The Epistles and Gospels for Sundays and Holy Days, Sheed and Ward, 1946, page 96).
The Holy Gospel may be from earlier than the 6th century, as it seems to be set about the time when farmers began their work in the fields and vineyard. It is not a lesson in economics, nor in fair employment practices. The last verse is not original to this parable told by Jesus, and gives a wrong turn to the true point of the story. Jesus was illustrating the abundance of divine generosity, surpassing all standards of earthly justice. “If a man performs his task faithfully and energetically no matter how late he may be called to work in the Lord’s vineyard, he will receive an ample recompense. The parable teaches us that we do not and cannot earn our reward in the Kingdom of God by merely working long and arduously. It is a free gift from Him who alone knows the merits or deserts of His workmen.” * (Oxford American Prayer Book Commentary, by Massey H. Shepherd, Jr., 1950 Oxford University Press.) The “Gesima Sundays have been described as: “Then three Sundays will prepare, For the time of fast and prayer, That, with hearts made penitent, We may keep a faithful Lent.” *( The Church Year Makes Sense, by John G.Williams, page 42. 1969 Forward Movement Pub.)