Once upon a time, a new priest was assigned to an old parish. Everyone in the congregation was excited to meet this priest, but also to see him serve and hear him preach…and he didn’t disappoint. He gave a wonderful, moving, memorable sermon that everyone talked about all week long.
Then, on the next Sunday, he gave another wonderful, moving, memorable sermon, except for the fact that it was the exact same homily as the week before. And this went on for many weeks: the same sermon repeated over and over and over again.
Finally, someone worked up the courage and asked the priest: “Father, the sermon you gave your first Sunday was unbelievable. It was terrific; you’re a very good preacher. But you’ve given that same sermon now for seven weeks straight. We’d like to hear something new. Surely, you can come up with another sermon.”
The priest responded, “When parishioners learn to adhere to the teachings of this sermon, I’ll deliver a new one. But until then, what’s the point?”
This little parable packs a powerful truth about a sermon’s purpose, but it also addresses the issue of “sameness” in our worship and the cycle of Scripture readings throughout the year; especially as we prepare to embark upon our Lenten Journey. The exact same gospels, in the exact same order, with the exact same message, and exact same theme – year after year after year. But why???
First, there is a sense of comfort in continuity, which is why God ordained a ritualistic nature to our services. Also, hearing these same Scriptural texts over and over creates memory; not to mention repetition is one of the best teaching tools. And since those readings haven’t changed, they provide historical context to Early Christian thought.
Secondly, we know that these gospels were not compiled by happenstance but specifically chosen and handed down by the Church Fathers. They provide meaning and enhance the value of our seasons, preparing us for important events, feasts, and of course, Great and Holy Pascha. This becomes part of the Church’s “Holy Tradition.”
Thirdly, they continue to be repeated because we need them to be repeated. Let’s face it: we listen to these same gospels year after year, but don’t always “hear” them, let alone adhere to their message. Their meaning does not always pierce through the hardness of our heart; the veil of our mind; the shades of our eyes; the actions of our hands; and the movement of our feet.
Thus, repetition offers us our best chance at change.
