The fourth Sunday in Lent is called Laetare Sunday because traditionally the Introit begins, “Rejoice, (Latin, Laetare) O Jerusalem”. This day is also known as Refreshment Sunday because at this half-way point in Lent there is a relaxation of the seasonal discipline. Rose-coloured vestments may be worn and flowers are permitted. In many, if not most, churches Mothering Sunday is celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent.

The fifth Sunday in Lent is called Passion Sunday and it marks the beginning of Passiontide, the final part of Lent. ‘Passion’ is derived from the Latin word meaning ‘to suffer’ and it is the time when the Church focuses on all the physical, mental and spiritual torments that Jesus endured for us in his final days.

Passion Sunday has also been called Care or Carle Sunday, possibly derived from the Anglo-Saxon word caru meaning grief, pain. A special food was prepared called ‘Carlings’ which were grey peas, soaked overnight in water and then fried in butter. During the following week children usually went out to gather branches of willow, box and yew ready to use as palms on Palm Sunday. (1)

The Passion Flower, Passiflora coerulea, has traditionally symbolised Christ’s Passion – his sufferings. The leaves represent the spear which pierced his side. The threads or filaments that form the corona represent the scourge. There are five stamens and they represent the crown of thorns. Above the stamens are three stigmas that represent the nails used to fasten Jesus to the Cross. (2) Referring to the Passion Flower in his poem, ‘Invitation to Flowers’, Bernard Barton writes:

“…Though fair as any gracing Beauty’s bower,
Is link’d to Sorrow like a holy thing,
And takes its name from Suff’ring’s fiercest hour –
Be this thy noblest fame, imperial Passion-flower!” (3)

Some of the Church’s most beautiful hymns are sung during Passiontide. These hymns are also food for reflection and contemplation when read slowly.

“See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all”. (4)

References

1. Wall, J.C. (1907) An Old English Parish, London: Talbot.

2. Hibberd, S. (1907) Familiar Garden Flowers, IV, London: Cassell and Company Limited.

3. Barton, B. (n.d.) 'Invitation to Flowers', cited in Hibberd, S. (1907) Familiar Garden Flowers, IV, London: Cassell and Company Limited.

4. Watts, I. (1707) When I survey the wondrous Cross. Available from: http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/w/w299.html (Accessed 01 March 2017) (Internet).

Short talk

A short talk for Passion Sunday, entitled He suffered is now available.

“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?  For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage’.  When King Herod heard this, he was frightened…” (NRSV, Matthew 2:1-3)

Our Lord’s earthly life represented the supreme personal clash between God on the one side and sinful man on the other: and that clash is reflected in the violent personal contrasts it provoked.

For example, as his life drew to its end, we see face to face in Gethsemane Judas and Peter. Both were Apostles, both had shared a common life together with Our Lord; yet while the one sought to destroy his Master, the other endeavoured to protect him. And that contrast persisted all Good Friday. Peter went out and wept bitterly, Judas went out and hanged himself.