Something about the liturgical season of Lent seems effortful. In the traditional liturgy of the Catholic Church, there is a kind of pre-season called Gesimatide of Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima constituting a very Latinate countdown to Easter. It’s at this time that the Alleluia disappears from the ritual of the Mass in the first act of “stripping down” that happens progressively throughout the penitential season. The traditional lesson at the beginning of this season is from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians:
At the same time that the lessons emphasize our efforts, the Gospel readings are just as emphatic on the theme of our need for God’s grace. On that same day, we get the parable of the workers in the vineyard from Matthew 20, emphasizing that those who are working will get their reward because of God’s sovereign generosity, not based on a servile relationship of their effort.
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