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Depending on the date of Easter, the period of Ordinary Time between Candlemas and Ash Wednesday will be of variable length, and in any given year many of the readings provided in this section will be surplus to requirements.

The Book of Common Prayer follows medieval custom in naming the three Sundays before Lent respectively Septuagesima, Sexagesima and Quinquagesima. This designation reflected the monastic custom of maintaining a longer, more rigorous fast in preparation for Easter. In the revision of the Calendar, the Church of England has dispensed with the medieval nomenclature whilst retaining something of a penitential flavour to this time of the year.

In the Eastern Churches the Sunday immediately before Lent is known as the ‘Sunday of Forgiveness’. Before renewing our relationship with Christ through the Lenten fast and Paschal mystery, there must be a renewal of relationships within the Body of Christ through the offering and receiving of forgiveness which alone leads to a restoration of trust. The readings chosen for this period of Ordinary Time reflect these themes.