Do you have a favorite serial TV drama? Do you adjust your schedule to make sure you see it each week, or perhaps record it so you won’t miss an episode? That’s not unusual, because everything makes so much more sense when we understand the context.
It is that way with the “episodes” of God’s mercy toward us in the Divine Service. God comes to us and serves us with one treasure after another. Generally speaking, each weekly “treasure” is identified by the Introit.
The Introits (introduction to the service) are taken from the Bible and at one time were written in Latin, and often the Sunday was named from the first word(s) in the introit. This meant that just from knowing what Sunday it is, we have an idea of the treasure that is offered to us by God from His word.
“Palmarum” is an easy one, isn’t it? It is a lot more helpful than “Sixth Sunday in Lent.” We know right away that we will be hearing about Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Look at the other Sundays in lent, and see what they tell us. The (title of the Sunday) is taken from the words in the introit. See if you can tell what each Sunday is about.
LENT 1 (Invocavit) He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My Salvation. He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Lesson: The Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness.
LENT 2 – (Reminiscere) Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and loving kindnesses, for they have been from of old. Let not my enemies triumph over me. Redeem Israel, O God, Out of all their troubles! To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed.
Lesson: The Faith of the Canaanite Woman
LENT 3 (Oculi) My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He shall pluck my feet out of the net. To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul, O my God, I trust in You. Turn Yourself to me and have mercy on me, For I am desolate and afflicted.
Lesson: Jesus’ Victory over Satan
LENT 4 (Laetare) Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all you who mourn for her. I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord."
Lesson: The Feeding of the Five Thousand
LENT 5 (Judica) Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation. Deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. Send out Your light and Your truth; Let them lead me, let them bring me to Your holy hill.
Lesson: Jesus Clearly Proclaims His Divine Nature