Quinquagesima is a term used in the liturgical calendar of some Christian traditions, particularly in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches. It refers to the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Lenten season. The name “Quinquagesima” comes from the Latin word for “fiftieth,” signifying that it falls approximately fifty days before Easter. This Sunday is also known as “Shrove Sunday” in some traditions, as it marks the last Sunday before Lent, a time of preparation and reflection.

Historical Context

Origins of the Liturgical Term

The term Quinquagesima is part of a series of Latin names given to the Sundays immediately preceding Lent. These Sundays, which include Septuagesima (seventieth), Sexagesima (sixtieth), and Quinquagesima (fiftieth), were established in the early Christian Church as a way to prepare the faithful for the penitential season of Lent. The numbering refers not to the exact number of days before Easter, but to the approximate period leading up to it.

• Septuagesima, Sexagesima, Quinquagesima: These three Sundays formed a pre-Lenten season of preparation. Septuagesima marked the start of this period, followed by Sexagesima, and then Quinquagesima, leading up to Ash Wednesday. This period was seen as a time to begin contemplating the themes of repentance and self-discipline that would be central to Lent.
• Shrove Sunday: In English tradition, Quinquagesima is often called “Shrove Sunday,” from the old English word shrive, meaning to confess sins. Shrove Sunday, Shrove Monday, and Shrove Tuesday (also known as Mardi Gras) are associated with the final days of indulgence before the fasting of Lent begins.

Development in Church Tradition

Over time, the observance of Quinquagesima Sunday became associated with particular liturgical readings and themes, setting the tone for the coming season of Lent.

• Gospel Reading: In many liturgical traditions, the Gospel reading for Quinquagesima Sunday is taken from the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus foretells His passion and heals a blind man. This reading highlights themes of suffering, faith, and spiritual enlightenment, all of which are key to the Lenten journey.
  • Luke 18:31-43 (KJV):
    

    “Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.”

  This passage from Luke is significant for Quinquagesima because it foreshadows the events of Holy Week and emphasizes the necessity of spiritual sight and faith as the faithful enter Lent.

• Epistle Reading: In the traditional lectionary, the Epistle reading for Quinquagesima Sunday is 1 Corinthians 13, the famous chapter on love, often referred to as the “love chapter.” This reading emphasizes the importance of love as the highest Christian virtue, setting the tone for the self-examination and acts of charity that characterize Lent.
  • 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (KJV):
    

    “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

  The emphasis on love as the greatest of virtues serves as a powerful reminder of the motivation behind Lenten practices: the love of God and neighbor.

Theological Significance

Preparation for Lent

Quinquagesima serves as a preparatory Sunday before the beginning of Lent, a season of penitence, fasting, and prayer. The themes of the readings and the liturgical focus help to prepare the hearts and minds of the faithful for the rigorous spiritual journey that lies ahead.

• Repentance and Reflection: Quinquagesima is a time to begin the process of self-examination and repentance, which will be deepened during Lent. The focus on the upcoming passion of Christ encourages believers to consider their own sins and the need for God’s grace.
  • Psalm 51:10-12 (KJV):
    

    “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”

    NIV:

    “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

  This prayer from Psalm 51 is often associated with Lent and the desire for spiritual renewal, beginning with Quinquagesima.

The Virtue of Love

The reading from 1 Corinthians 13 on Quinquagesima Sunday places a strong emphasis on love (charity) as the highest Christian virtue. This sets a foundational tone for the Lenten season, reminding believers that all acts of piety, fasting, and repentance must be motivated by love.

• Matthew 22:37-40 (KJV):
  

  “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

  NIV:

  “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

  The focus on love as the fulfillment of the law ties directly into the spirit of Lent, where the outward acts of fasting and penitence are meant to be expressions of a heart that loves God and others.

The Journey to the Cross

Quinquagesima marks the final step in the journey toward the cross, as the Church prepares to enter the solemnity of Lent. The Gospel reading’s focus on Christ’s foretelling of His passion invites the faithful to meditate on the sufferings of Christ and the cost of discipleship.

• Luke 9:23 (KJV):
  

  “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

  NIV:

  “Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’”

  This call to take up the cross is central to the Lenten journey, beginning with Quinquagesima, where believers are reminded of the path of self-denial and the call to follow Christ even unto suffering.

Practical Implications for Worship and Life

Beginning the Lenten Fast

Quinquagesima is traditionally seen as the last opportunity to indulge before the austerity of Lent begins. In some cultures, this has led to the celebration of Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras), a final feast before the fast. However, in the Church, the focus is on preparing oneself spiritually for the discipline of Lent.

• Fasting and Abstinence: Quinquagesima serves as a reminder to begin considering the practices of fasting and abstinence that will be undertaken during Lent. This might involve deciding what to give up for Lent or how to increase one’s devotional practices.
  • Joel 2:12-13 (KJV):
    

    “Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.”

    NIV:

    “Even now, declares the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”

  This passage from Joel captures the spirit of repentance and fasting that begins with Quinquagesima and continues through Lent.

Focus on Charity

The emphasis on love (charity) from 1 Corinthians 13 on Quinquagesima Sunday serves as a practical guide for how to live out the Lenten season. Believers are encouraged to focus not only on personal piety but also on acts of love and service to others.

• Matthew 6:1-4 (KJV):
  

  “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”

  NIV:

  “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

  This teaching from Jesus emphasizes the importance of genuine acts of charity, done not for public recognition but as a true expression of love for God and neighbor.

Spiritual Preparation for Easter

Quinquagesima is a time to begin the spiritual preparation for Easter. The journey of Lent, which begins just days after Quinquagesima, is meant to lead believers deeper into the mystery of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection.

• Philippians 3:10-11 (KJV):
  

  “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”

  NIV:

  “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”

  This desire to know Christ more fully through participation in His sufferings is at the heart of the Lenten journey, which begins with the reflection and preparation of Quinquagesima.

Broader Thematic Connections

The Liturgical Year

Quinquagesima is part of the broader liturgical calendar, which is designed to guide believers through the various seasons of the Christian faith. Each season has its own themes and practices, leading up to the celebration of Easter, the central event of the Christian year.

• Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV):
  

  “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

  NIV:

  “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

  This verse reflects the cyclical nature of the liturgical year, where each season has its own purpose and focus, helping believers to grow in their faith and understanding of God’s work in the world.

The Call to Repentance

Quinquagesima also ties into the broader biblical theme of repentance, which is a central focus of the Lenten season. The call to repentance is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, urging believers to turn away from sin and turn back to God.

• Acts 3:19 (KJV):
  

  “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”

  NIV:

  “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

  This call to repentance is central to the spirit of Lent, which begins with the preparatory reflection of Quinquagesima.

Legacy and Influence in Christian Doctrine

Quinquagesima, while not as widely recognized today as in the past, remains an important part of the liturgical tradition in many Christian denominations. It serves as a bridge between the ordinary time of the Church calendar and the solemnity of Lent, helping to prepare the hearts and minds of the faithful for the journey toward Easter.

Conservative Reflection on Quinquagesima

From a conservative theological perspective, Quinquagesima is seen as a valuable time for spiritual preparation and reflection. It is an opportunity to deepen one’s understanding of the Lenten season and to begin the process of repentance and renewal that will culminate in the celebration of Easter. Conservatives emphasize the importance of adhering to the traditional practices and themes of Quinquagesima as a way to maintain continuity with the historic faith of the Church.

Final Thoughts on God’s Love and Jesus

Quinquagesima ultimately points to the love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ. The focus on love from 1 Corinthians 13, combined with the foretelling of Christ’s passion in the Gospel reading, invites believers to meditate on the depth of God’s love, which is demonstrated through the sacrifice of His Son. As the Church prepares to enter Lent, Quinquagesima serves as a reminder that all acts of devotion, repentance, and sacrifice are rooted in and motivated by the love of God, which is the foundation of the Christian life.

• John 15:13 (KJV):
  

  “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

  NIV:

  “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

This verse encapsulates the message of Quinquagesima, where the love of Christ, who laid down His life for humanity, is the ultimate expression of God’s love and the model for how believers are called to live.