The
“Green” Season:
The Sundays after the Feast of Pentecost
"Grant O Lord, that the
course of this world may be peaceably governed by your
providence;
and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence
and serenity;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen"
(Collect for Proper #
3, Season after Pentecost, The Book of Common Prayer, Page
229)
During the Liturgical Year, the
scripture readings for the seasons of Lent, Easter, Advent,
and Christmas have prominent scriptural, liturgical and
sacred musical themes/hymns as well as distinctive colors
associated with a particular season of the Liturgical Year.
Christians consider the Day of Pentecost the birthday of
the church (see Acts of the Apostles Chapter 2) because,
from that moment on, the disciples carried the message of
Christ everywhere they went all over the world. A Pentecost
tradition is to wear red vestments to symbolize the tongues
of flame and the Holy Spirit.
The Season after Pentecost, in which Christians develop
their relationship with the risen Christ, lasts from the
Day of Pentecost to the day before Advent. Thus it began on
Pentecost, on May 11, (2008) and ends on November 23rd this
year which is also known as The Feast of Christ the King.
During the Sundays after the Feast of Pentecost, the
readings are not chosen according to a theme. Rather, they
present in a continuous fashion. the life and work of Jesus
Christ as proclaimed in the Gospels of either Matthew,
Mark, or Luke. John's Gospel is read principally during the
liturgical seasons. Parables and other teachings of Christ
are heard throughout the Sundays after Pentecost.
The liturgical color for The Sundays after Pentecost is
green; the priest’s vestments, a chasuble and stole are
green, a sign of hope and growth. Some churches use green
decorative hangings from the pulpit or lectern and some
churches will also have a full “frontal” or altar covering
which is green.
Green has particular associations with the natural
environment. It brings to mind the seasons of spring and
summer. It suggests growth and health in nature.
Just as the earth is “greening” during the summer months so
too, the Scripture readings during the green season involve
learning and growing in Christ in every day life.
