The time between the Epiphany and Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent), and between the day of Pentecost and the beginning of Advent are the two 'green seasons', so called from their liturgical colour. Sundays during these two periods are counted as simply 'Sundays of the Year'.
Trinity Sunday (the Sunday after Pentecost)The time after Pentecost is bracketed by two festivals. The first is Trinity Sunday. (The second feast, which shall bring the ‘ordinary time’ to an end, is the feast of Christ the King.) Trinity Sunday can be understood as the culmination of the three great festivals of the year: Christmas, the feast of God the Father. Easter, the feast of God the Son, Pentecost, the feast of God the Holy Spirit. Trinity Sunday is a celebration of the experience of the God of the Bible as the human mind has reflected that experience. It is, in a simple phrase, the celebration of the mystery of God. The liturgical colour of the ordinary time is green.
THE LITURGICAL COLOUR OF ORDINARY TIME IS GREEN. The theological virtue of hope is symbolized by the colour green, just as the burning fire of love is symbolized by red. Green is the colour of growing things, and hope, like them, is always new and always fresh. Liturgically, green is the colour of Ordinary Time, the season in which we are being neither penitent (in purple) nor joyful (in white).
WHITE. White is the colour of heaven. Liturgically, it is used to celebrate feasts of the Lord; Christmas and Easter, the great seasons of the Lord; and the saints. Not that you will always see white in church, because if something more splendid, such as gold, is available, that can and should be used instead. We are, after all, celebrating. In the earliest centuries all vestments were white – the white of baptismal purity and of the robes worn by the armies of the redeemed in the Apocalypse, washed white in the blood of the Lamb. As the Church grew secure enough to be able to plan her liturgy, she began to use colour so that our sense of sight could deepen our experience of the mysteries of salvation, just as incense recruits our sense of smell and music that of hearing. Over the centuries various schemes of colour for feasts and seasons were worked out, and it is only as late as the 19th century that they were harmonized into their present form.
SUNDAYS IN ORDINARY TIME
YEAR A
25th Sunday:Isaiah 55:6-9: Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways and thoughts above yours. Philippians 1:20-24,27: Christ will be exalted through e, whether I live or die. I long to be freed of this life and to be with Christ, yet it is more urgent that I remain alive for your sakes. Matthew:20-1-16: The parable of the owner of the vineyard who hires workers at different hours of the day. He pays the last the same as those who labored all day. Are you envious because I am generous? The last shall be first. Prayer: Lord, you are always near to us, yet your overwhelming graciousness and kindness seem to separate you from our selfishness and sternness. Yet, you are truly near to all wo call upon you. Let me persevere in this truth.
YEAR C
TRINITY SUNDAY. On Trinity Sunday, the whole community of God’s Saints (all his elect) celebrates the mystery of God as the Holy Trinity of the three Divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This communal celebration is a great reminder of that sanctity is the work of the Holy Spirit. Our sanctity flows from God’s Triune life. Trinity Sunday can be understood as the culmination of the three great festivals of the year: Christmas, the feast of God the Father. Easter, the feast of God the Son, Pentecost, the feast of God the Holy Spirit.
SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. Readings: Isaiah 49:3,-5-6: In this Second Song of the Suffering Servant the prophet is called to be a light to the nation. 1 Cor 1:1-3: Paul sends greetings ‘to you who have been consecrated in Christ Jesus and called to be a holy people.’ John 1:29-34: John the Baptist points to Jesus as the one ‘who ranks ahead of me, who is to baptise with the Holy Spirit.’ John did not recognise Jesus first. Prayer: ‘Here I am, Lord: I come to do your will.’ This is my delight. At times you may seem to overlook me for those to come afterwards. Yet you manifest the same bumble and strong hope, allowing us to continue your work an deven to achieve your ideals. Let me always wait upon you.
SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME . Today's Gospel. When the Messiah brings the fullness of the kingdom none of scripture will be done away with. Instead it will be fulfilled. Jesus does not overturn the Law of Moses, nor does he set his followers free from the Law. He requires his followers to go beyond the Law by doing more than the Law requires. The Law condemned murder. Jesus condemns anger. The Law condemned adultery. Jesus condemns even lustful looks.
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Gen 18:1-10. Abraham entertains three guests, including the Lord, who announce the birth of Isaac.
• Col 1:24-28. Paul finds joy in his suffering, filling up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of his body, the Church.
• Luke 10:38-42. Jesus is entertained at the home of Martha and Mary. Mary listens to the Lord’s words while Martha busies herself with hospitality. Prayer: Lord, you grant life in our presence. You instill a prayerful contemplation in us as we sit at your feet, provided we do justice, walk blamelessly, think the truth in our heart and slander not with our tongue. Sanctify our common sense that we may do the right thing towards our neighbor. Then our prayer will be sacred
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Readings today. Gen 18:2032: Abraham argues with God not to destroy the wicked cities, if fifty and eventually if only 10 just persons are found in them. Col 2.12-14: The gentiles, though non-observant of the Jewish law and helplessly dead in their sins, were raised to new life in Christ’s resurrection. The decree against us was nailed to the cross. Luke 11:1-13: Jesus teaches the Our Father and persistency in prayer. Prayer: Lord, on the day that I called for help, you answered me. You see the needs of the lowly and watch over us, even though we walk amid distress. What I seek above all else, Lord, is to live in your presence. Intention: Not to violate Jesus’ ‘positive commandments’, that is, not to miss the positive opportunities when we can respond to other’s needs with compassion, charity and prayer.
This week's ‘Let us read the Bible together from Book of Common Prayer'. Sunday: (1 Kings 17; Luke 1,1-25 // 1 Kings 18; Matthew 11), Monday: (2 Kings 20; 1 Corinthians 15,1-34 //2 Chronicles 33; Matthew 13), Tuesday: (2 Kings 22; 1 Corinthians 15:35-end // 2 Kings 23,1-20; Mark 12,41-13,13), Wednesday: (2 Kings 23,1-35; 1 Corinthians 16 // 2 Kings 23,36-24,17; Mark 13,14-end), Thursday: (2 kings 24,18-25,7; 2 Corinthians 1,122 // 2 Kings 25,8-end; Matthew 25,1-30), Friday: (Jeremiah 19; 2 Corinthians 1,23-2 end // Jeramiah 21,1-10; Matthew 25,31-end), Saturday: (Jeramiah 22,20-23,8; 2 Corinthians 3 // Jeremiah 24; Mark 14,1-26)
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Readings today. Ecclesiasticus 1:2, 2:21-23: Vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! For what profit are all the toil and anxiety of the heart? Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11: Set your heart on what pertains to higher realms. Your life is hidden with Christ in God. You are formed anew in the image of the Creator. Luke 12:13-21: Possessions do not guarantee life. Grow rich in the sight of God. Avoid greed in all its forms. Prayer: Lord, today as I hear your voice, let my heart be open and attentive. Do not let me succumb to the temptation of selfishness and greed but rather be shepherded by you in a family of generosity and concern. Intention: For bishop Richard’s intention that our parishes may grow into welcoming, compassionate communities with a renewed sense of mission.
This week's ‘Let us read the Bible together from Book of Common Prayer.' Sunday: (Morning: 1 Kings 21, Luke 1,26-56// Evening: 1 Kings 22,1-40, Matthew 13,24-52), Monday: (Jeremiah 25,1-14; 2 Corinthians 4 //Jeramiah27,2-end; Mark 14,27-52), Tuesday: (Jeramiah 28; 2 Corinthians 5 //Jeremiah 29,1-20; Mark 14,53-end), Wednesday: (Jeremiah 32,1-25; 2 Corinthians 5,20-7,1// Jeremiah 32,26-end, Mark 15,1-41), Thursday: (Jeremiah 33; 2 Corinthians 7,2-end // Jeremiah 34,8-end; Luke 23,33-end.), Friday: (Jeremiah 37; 2 Corinthians 8 // Jeremiah 38,1-13; Mark 15,42-16 end), Saturday: (Jeremiah 38,14-end, 2 Corinthians 9 //Jeremiah 39, Luke24,13-end)
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Readings today. Ecclesiasticus 1:2, 2:21-23: Vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! For what profit are all the toil and anxiety of the heart? Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11: Set your heart on what pertains to higher realms. Your life is hidden with Christ in God. You are formed anew in the image of the Creator. Luke 12:13-21: Possessions do not guarantee life. Grow rich in the sight of God. Avoid greed in all its forms. Prayer: Lord, today as I hear your voice, let my heart be open and attentive. Do not let me succumb to the temptation of selfishness and greed but rather be shepherded by you in a family of generosity and concern. Intention: For bishop Richard’s intention that our parishes may grow into welcoming, compassionate communities with a renewed sense of mission.
This week's ‘Let us read the Bible together from Book of Common Prayer.' Sunday: (Morning: 1 Kings 21, Luke 1,26-56// Evening: 1 Kings 22,1-40, Matthew 13,24-52), Monday: (Jeremiah 25,1-14; 2 Corinthians 4 //Jeramiah27,2-end; Mark 14,27-52), Tuesday: (Jeramiah 28; 2 Corinthians 5 //Jeremiah 29,1-20; Mark 14,53-end), Wednesday: (Jeremiah 32,1-25; 2 Corinthians 5,20-7,1// Jeremiah 32,26-end, Mark 15,1-41), Thursday: (Jeremiah 33; 2 Corinthians 7,2-end // Jeremiah 34,8-end; Luke 23,33-end.), Friday: (Jeremiah 37; 2 Corinthians 8 // Jeremiah 38,1-13; Mark 15,42-16 end), Saturday: (Jeremiah 38,14-end, 2 Corinthians 9 //Jeremiah 39, Luke24,13-end
Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Harvest Festival. Readings today. Amos 6:1,4-7: A sarcastic condemnation of the men of Samaria, stretched comfortably upon ivory-inlaid couches, yet not heartsick for the moral collapse of the nation. 1 Timothy 6:11-16. Seek after integrity, piety, faith, love, steadfastness and a gentle spirit…until our Lord Jesus Christ shall appear. Luke 16.19-31: Parable of Dives and Lazarus. If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced if one should rise from the dead. Prayer: Lord, let my heavenly joy and praise begin here on earth, as with you we secure justice for the oppressed, food for the hungry, freedom for captives, sight for the blind, protection for strangers. In such a kingdom you reign for ever. Your harvest come, O, Lord! Intention: For our growth in generosity and that our donations to the local foodbank run by Foursquares Church on the Concourse, might become a genuine expression of solidarity with the poor of Grahame Park.
‘Let us read the Bible together from the Book of Common Prayer (Day: Morning // Evening). Sunday: (Jeremiah 26:1-24; 1 Peter 1:22-2:10 // Jeremiah 30:10-22; 1 John 1:1-10, 2:1-11.) Monday: (Job 13:1-28; Ephesians 4:1-16 // Job 14:1-22; Luke 4:1-30) Tuesday: (Job 15:1-16; Ephesians 4:17-30 // Job 16:122, 17:1-2; Luke 4:31-44), Wednesday: (Job 17:3-16; Ephesians 4:31-5:21 // Ezekiel 10:8-22; Revelation 5:1-14) Thursday: (2 Kings 6:817; Acts 12:1-11// Daniel 10:4-21; Matthew 13:24-30), Friday: (Job 22:1-30; Ephesians 6:1-9 // Job 23:1-17; Luke 6:1-19), Saturday: (Job 24.1-25; Ephesians 6:10-24 // Job 25:1-6; Luke 6:20)
Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (3rd Sunday Before Advent). ‘Let us read the Bible together from the Book of Common Prayer (Day: Morning // Evening). Sunday: (Proverbs 8:1-49; 1 Corinthians 1:26-2:16 // Proverbs 8:1-36; James 3:1-18) Monday: (Sirach 16:17-30; Acts 9:1-31// Sirach 17:1-24; Acts 9:32-43) Tuesday: (Sirach 18:1-14; Acts 10:1-23 // Sirach 19:13-30; Acts 10:24-48), Wednesday: (Sirach 21:1-17; Acts 11:1-18 // Sirach 22:6-22; Acts 11:19-30), Thursday: (Sirach 22:27.,23:1-15; Acts 12:1-24 //Sirach 24:1-22; Acts 12:25-.13:1-12) Friday: (Sirach 24:23-34; Acts 13:13-43 // Sirach 27:30., 28:1-9; Acts 13:44-14:7), Saturday: (Sirach 31:1-11; Acts 14:8-28 // Sirach 34:9-26; Acts 15:1-21)
Last Sunday of Ordinary Time. Christ the King. The time after Pentecost, ordinary time, concludes with the feast of Christ the King. The feast was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 to combat what he considered the destructive forces of the age: the rise of Bolshevik communism in Russia, Fascism in Italy, materialism generally. The new feast was intended to reassure the faithful that Christ the King was still in control. The reforms of the Second Vatican Council moved the feast to the last Sunday of the liturgical year, replacing the terrifying theme of the Last Judgement. It was a happy innovation quickly adopted by Anglicans. Today’s feast is a declaration that it is the Father’s will to restore all things in Christ. All creation is to be redeemed and restored to its original perfection.