I know I'm a day late with this post, but for those of you in "Ordinary Time" mode, I celebrated with other traditional Catholics all over the world Septuagesima Sunday, the beginning of the time of Septuagesima, which is a time of preparation for the Lenten journey. A period of penance, the vestments return back to the penitential violet. The Alleluia ceases to be sung, not heard again until the Easter Vigil, as well as the Gloria and the Te Deum. It's really a shame that this time was dropped when the Missal of Pope Paul VI was introduced. It's times in the liturgical calendar like this that makes me thank God for Pope Benedict XVI's motu proprio Summorum Pontificum.
Tradition has it that the origins of Septuagesima date to the time when Christians used to fast 70 days before Easter, reminiscent of the Babylonian Exile. Since this is a time of preparation for the 40 day journey with our Lord, it is only appropriate that the Gospel for Septuagesima Sunday be that of the parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, a reminder of God's yearning for all to become workers in His vineyard and enjoy equally the full joy that the other laborers in the Lord's field enjoy. It is also a reminder for us to be cautious when judging others, considering that we too are sinners that need God's mercy and compassion, to do what we must do to buid up the Kingdom of God, lest the just anger of God look upon you for your intent to look at the flaws of others, while ignoring the fact that you have your own unique part to play.
Whether or not you attend the Traditional Mass or not, still take this time to prepare for lies ahead as we prepare ourselves for that long journey with Christ to Calvary, knowing that what lies ahead is the joy of the Resurrection.
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