THEOLOGICAL CLUE

The Third Sunday in Lent had the quality of "looking toward God" in trust, as the introit put it, "Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord" (Psalm 25:6, 2b, 22, 1, 2a), in the classic set of propers. The other readings and parts of the propers concentrated on the preparation of the catechumens for baptism at Easter; this Sunday was known as dominica exorcismi - exorcism Sunday - when the lectionary and the church year were beginning to develop. It also had the title of renunciation Sunday (dominici abrenuntiationis), because it was the time that the initiation of the catechumens actually began; they were to renounce their old life and the ways of the world and turn toward the Lord in total trust and surrender. Time has taken away the original meanings and purposes of this Sund…