Pre-Lent, 2nd Corinthians, the REC and me

or Here I go again.

For I don’t know how many years I have read St. Paul’s 2nd Epistle to the Corinthians during the two weeks before Lent.  That letter says so much about what the heart of one in ministry should be. (And what Christian should not be involved in ministry of some sort?) It thereby provides so much material for improvement and repentance. So I’ve found it excellent preparation for Lent.  After all, we are supposed to search out our actual sinfulness and repent of it before and during Lent, not just give up chocolate or booze or something.

But this year I was intending to do something different for a change and prepare another way than reading 2nd Corinthians.

Allow me to back up.

During all of my Anglican years, I’ve been in the Reformed Episcopal Church.  And one of quirks of the REC (Yes, we still have our quirks although thankfully not as many as we used to have!) is that during the Pre-Lent “gesima” season we read 2nd Corinthians during Morning Prayer.  I don’t think we are unique in that, but I’ve not seen any traditional Books of Common Prayer that do that in their lectionaries.

But it is a good quirk.  With the possible exception of his letters to Timothy, 2nd Corinthians is the epistle in which St. Paul most opens up his heart as a minister, including his emotions, ambitions, and even frustrations. The traditional Epistle lesson this past Sexagesima Sunday from 11:19-31 is only one instance of that — and, yes, a rather jarring one.  Paul demonstrates what being a faithful minister of Christ should look like.  And he demonstrates it is not easy.

With St. Paul thereby making himself such an open example, the ministering Christian can find in 2nd Corinthians much to relate to, much to emulate, much to improve, and, of course, much we fall short of.  Thus through the years 2nd Corinthians has helped me prepare for Lent by getting me good and penitent by showing me too many areas in which to repent and improve.

But this year, I thought I would do something different in the run up to Lent . . . until a small ministry I help lead began expanding unexpectedly and without my doing much to bring that about.  (And I still think it best to keep this ministry small and under the radar at the moment. So sorry I am not saying more here.)   It thereby became clear I needed to step up both the quantity and quality of my involvement in this ministry.  And I can think of no better preparation for increasing and improving ministry than . . . 2nd Corinthians.  Yes, here I go again.

God and the Reformed Episcopal Church really do want me to keep reading 2nd Corinthians during Pre-Lent yet again.  And so I shall.