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William L. Hoffman wrote (February 22, 2024):
As the celebration J. S. Bach in Leipzig 300 Years, 1723/24, Leipzig Year One Church Year,1 continues its tercentenary observance, the de tempore (Proper Time) of the 2nd half of the church year on the ministry of Jesus Christ moves beyond the initial Trinity Time omnes tempore (Ordinary Time) first half of the church year ( BCW) with its emphasis on the church's parables, miracles, and teachings ( BCW) to Jesus' Christ's Christological incarnation and early events shaping his ministry. December began with the initial Advent season and related services (see BCW), followed by the Bachian Christmas Season (Turning Time) leading to Epiphany Time (BCW, Year B Mark's gospel 2024, Lectionary Library. The Epiphany Time Sundays and appropriate cantatas are found at the following: Epiphany 1, solo cantatas, BCW; Epiphany 2, 3, Epiphany Time Chorales, Jesus Hymns (BCW); Epiphany Time Chorales (BCW).
"Gesimae" Sundays
This Epiphany Time continues with the Pre-Lenten "gesima" Sundays (Septuagesima, Sexagesima, Quinquagesima; see BCW and Wikipedia: scroll down to "After Epiphany," "Pre-Lent," and "Fixed festivals within the Liturgical Year"). This period also has the first fixed Marian Feast of the Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Simeon's Canticle), February 2 (BCW). In the current 3-year Revised Common Lectionary, the 1724 Epiphany Time (not a season, without established chorales) has the following services: 1st Sunday after Epiphany, January 7, Cantata 154 (BCW; 2nd Sunday after Epiphany, January 14, Cantata 155 (BCW); Third Sunday after Epiphany, January 21, Cantata 73 (BCW); Septuagesimae (4th Sunday after Epiphany, 3rd Sunday before Lent), January 28, Cantata 144 (BCW); Sexagesimae (5th Sunday after Epiphany, 2nd Sunday before Lent), February 4, Cantatas 181 (BCW) and 18.2 (BCW); Estomihi (6th Sunday after Epiphany, 1st Sunday before Lent or Transfiguration Sunday), February 11; Cantata 22 (BCW). and Cantata 23.2 (BCW). Lent 2024 (Lectionary Library) begins with Ash Wednesday, February 14.
First Four Sundays in Epiphany Time
The record shows that between 1723 and 1727 Bach composed/presented an average of three cantatas each for the first four Sundays after Epiphany (the early years of Jesus) in January (see Wikipedia: scroll down to "After Epiphany"):
+1st Sunday, Luke 2:41-52, Jesus in the temple (BWV 154, 124, and 32; BCW);
+2nd Sunday, John 2:1-11 Jesus turns water into wine (first miracle) (BWV 155, 3, and 13; BCW);
+3rd Sunday, Matthew 8:1-13, Cleansing of the leper (BWV 73, 72, 156; BCW); and
+4th Sunday, Matthew 8: 23-27, Christ stills the tempest (BWV 81, JLB-1, BWV 14; BCW).
+For the 4th and 5th Sundays after Epiphany, Bach also had available to perform cantata texts of Picander (Wikipedia , copy and paste in browser), cantatas of Johann Ludwig Bach ( Wikipedia, BCW), and church-year cycles of Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel ( BCW), as well as selective works of Georg Philipp Telemann (BCW).
The one-year liturgical calendar that Bach performed (LCB One-Year Series (LCMS) was limited to about 60 events in Leipzig for which Bach composed cantatas. The length of Epiphany Time varied (from the 2nd to the 6th Sunday after Epiphany) with the length of the Sundays during Trinity Time (from the 23rd Sunday after Trinity to the 27th Sunday), with the moveable calendar of the Last Sunday after Epiphany (BCW), ranging from the 2nd to the 6th Sunday after Epiphany. This brief period began on 6 January with the Feast of Epiphany and ran through the three moveable Shrove pre-Lenten "gesimae" Sundays (Septuagesimae, Sexagesimae, Quinquagesimae Estomihi) and the fixed Marian feast of "Mariä Reinigung" (Feast of Purification of Mary, Presentation of Our Lord; Simeon's Canticle) on the date of February 2 (BCW), chorales and calendar (BCW).
Today's 3-Year Lectionary
Today's three-year Revised Common Lectionary (Lectionay Library) offers often on different dates almost three times as many New Testament readings from the three synoptic Gospels of Mark Year B, Luke Year C, and Matthew Year A, as well as the same selections from John's Gospel, often in all three years. The non-synoptic, unique Gospel of John in Bach's day and today has appointed readings for the feasts of the 2nd day of Christmas (December 26), the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany, two Sundays in Lent (3rd and 4th), and the Sundays in the Easter/Pentecost Season from the 2nd Sunday after Easter to Trinity Sunday (now called the Sunday after Pentecost).2 One early, major event in Jesus' life is his baptism in the river Jordan by cousin John the Baptist, observed in Bach's day on the fixed Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist (BCW), June 24, best observed in Martin Luther''s baptismal chorale Cantata 7, “Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam” (Christ our Lord came to the Jordan, trans. Z. Philip Ambrose3). Luther’s Catechism doctrinal baptism chorale (BCW) celebrates Jesus’ adult baptism and the beginning of his earthly ministry leading to his sacrifice for the redemption of the believer (see BCW.
Bach's Church Year Music
The current three-year lectionary offers a wealth of early Jesus events and themes in Bach cantatas, as explored in John S. Sutterlund's study of Bach''s church year music:4
+1st Sunday after Epiphany (Baptism of Our Lord): Year B 1/7/2024, Mark 1:4-11 (Lectionay Library), Ascension baptism justification Cantata 37, “Wer da glaubet und getauf wird” (Who there believes and baptizes, Mark 16:15, the gospel dictum; BCW: scroll down to "Personal Themes: Baptism, Faith"), alternate Epiphany Feast Chorale Cantata 123, “Liebster Immanuel, Herzog der Frommen, Du, meiner Seele Heil” (Dearest Immanuel, leader of the righteous, salvation of my soul, BCW); Year C, 1/12/2025, Baptism of Our Lord, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Lectionary Library), Epiphany chorale Cantata 123, "Liebster Immanuel, Herzog der Frommen" (Dearest Emanuel, Lord of the faithful), alternate baptismal chorale Cantata 7, "Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam" (Christ did, our Lord, to Jordan come); Year A, 1/11/2026, Matthew 3:13-17 (Baptism of our Lord, Lectionary Library), alternate Ascension chorus Cantata 37, "Wer da gläubet und getauft wird" (Who believeth and is baptized, will obtain salvation, Mk. 16:16).
+2nd Sunday after Epiphany: Year B 1/14/2024 (Jesus calls disciples Philip, Nathaniel) John 1:43-51 (Lectionay Library), Reformation Cantata 79, “Gott der Herr ist Sonn und Schild (God the Lord is sun and shield, Psalm 84:12, BCW, the disciples celebrate thanksgiving and praise), alternate Easter festival Cantata 145, “Ich lebe, mein Herze, zu deinem Ergötzen” (I live, my heart, for your delight, BCW, John's Christus Viktor is proclaimed to the believers); Year C, 1/19/2025, John 2:1-11 (Jesus turns water into wine (first miracle), Epiphany 2 Cantata 155, “Mein Gott, wie lang, ach lange?” (My God, how long, ah how long?, BCW, sorrow's tears become wine's joy), alternate Epiphany 2 Cantata 13, “Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen” (My sighs, my tears, Psalm 56:9b, BCW, awaiting God's time and Eschatological waiting for best wine last); Year A, 1/18/2026, John 1:29-42 (Jesus calls the disciples, Lectionary Library), Trinity 6 justification chorale Cantata 9, “Es ist das Heil uns kommen her” (Salvation has come to us, BCW, emphasizes Epistle 1 Cor. 1:1-9, Lectionary Library, justification through grace with faith alone), alternate Estomihi Cantata 23, “Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn” You true God and son of David, BCW; Jesus as the Messiah).
+3rd Sunday after Epiphany: Year B, 1/21/2024 (Jesus calls Simon and Andrew, Mark 1:14-20, Lectionary Library), Trinity 9 Cantata 168, “Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort” (Give an account of yourself! [Luke 16:2] Word of thunder; BCW), alternate Trinity 9 chorale Cantata 94, Was frag ich nach der Welt” (What do I ask for from the world, BCW); Year C, 26 Jan. 2025 (Jesus preaches in the Nazareth synagog, Luke 4:14-21, Lectionary Library), New Year's chorus Cantata 143, "Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele [II]" (Praise thou the Lord, O my spirit, Ps. 146:1), alternate Trinity 8 chorus Cantata 136, "Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz" (Examine me, God, and discover my heart, Ps 139:23; BCW); Year A, 1/25/2026 (Jesus chooses Simon, Andrew, James, John, Mat., Mat. 4:12-23; Lctionary Library), Motet BWV 230, "Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden" (Praise ye the Lord, all ye nations, Ps. 117:1, 2), alternate New Year's chorale Cantata 41, "Jesu, nun sei gepreiset" (Jesus, be now exalted, BCW).
+4th Sunday after Epiphany, Year B 1/28/2024 (Miracle of unclean spirit, Mark 1:21-28, Lectionary Library), Trinity 14 chorus Cantata 78, "Jesu, der du meine Seele (Jesus, thou who this my spirit; BCW), alternate Trinity 12 chorus Cantata 69.1(a), "Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele" (Praise thou the Lord, O my spirit, Ps. 103:2; BCW; Year C, 2/2/2025 (collison with Presentation of the Lord; Jesus preaching at Nazareth, Luke 4:21-30; Lectionary Library), Sexagesimae solo Cantata 181, "Leichtgesinnte Flattergeister" (Insincere and fickle spirits; BCW), alternate John's Day chorale chorus Cantata 167, "Ihr Menschen, rühmet Gottes Liebe" (Ye mortals, praise ye God's devotion; BCW); Year A 2/1/2026 (Beatitudes, Mat. 5:1-12; Lectionary Library); Trinity 7 chorale chorus Cantata 107, "Was willst du dich betrüben" (Why wouldst thou then be saddened; BCW), alternate Trinity 14 chorus Cantata 78.
+Presentation of the Lord (fixed Marian Feast of Purification of Mary with Simeon's canticle), fixed date of February 2, Luke 2:22-40, Lectionary Library): Year B 2/2/2024, Year C 2/2/2025, Year A 2/2/2026; Motet BWV 1165=Anh. 159, "Ich lasse dich nicht, du segnest mich denn" (I will not let you go, until you bless me, Gen. 32:26; BCW, BCW, Weimar-Leipzig Occasional Music of Sorrow scroll down to "Motet BWV Anh. 159"), alternate, "Mariä Reinigung" bass solo Cantata 82.1, "Ich habe genug" (I have now enough; BCW).
+Gesimae Pre-Lenten Sundays (last three before Lent): Septuagesima (BCW): 1/28/2024 Year B, 2/16/2025 Year C, 2/1/2026 Year A); Sexagesimae (BCW), 2/4/2024 Year B, 2/23/25 Year C, 2/8/2026 Year A; Estomihi (BCW): 2/11/2024 Year B, 3/2/2025 (Transfiguration Sunday), 2/15/2026 (Transfiguration Sunday). Setterlund in his supplement of the Lutheran Service Book (Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, St. Louis: Concordia 2006: 150f) cites the one-year lectionary for Septuagesimae, Matthew 20:1-16 (Labourers in the Vineyard, BCW), Cantata 144, "Nimm, was dein ist, und gehe hin" (Take what is thine and go away, Mat.20-14, Septuagesimae); Sexagesimae, Luke 8:4-15 (Parable of the sower, BCW), Cantata 18.2, "Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt" (Just as the showers and snow from heaven fall, Is. 15:10f, BCW, Sexagesimae); and Quinquagesimae Estomihi, Luke 18:31-43 (to Jerusalem, blind man sees; BCW), Cantata 22, "Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölf" (Jesus took aside the twelve then and said, Luke 18:31, BCW).
+Transfiguration of the Lord (last Sunday before Lent, not observed in Bach's calendar): Year B Mark 9:2-9 (2/11/2024, Transfiguration, Lectionary Library); Year C Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a) (3/2/2025, Transfiguration, Lectionary Library); Year A Mat. 17:1-9 (2/15/2026, Transfiguration, Lectionary Library). Setterlund (Ibid.: 150) cites the three-year lectionary of the Transfiguration for the following: Year B, Mark 9:2-9, Motet BWV 225, "Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied" (Sing unto the Lord a new song, Ps. 149:1-3, Wikipedia); Year C, Luke 9:28-36, St. Michael's chorus Cantata 50, "Nun ist das Heil und die Kraft" (Now is the health and the strength, Rev. 12:10, BCW); Year A, Mat.17:1-9, St. Michael's chorale Cantata 130, "Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir" (Lord God, we praise thee every one, BCW).
Other Services in 3-Year Lectionary
Setterlund outlines from the 3-year Revised Common Lectionary other fixed-date services that commemorate saint's birthdays as well as special events and alternate observances:
+St. Thomas, Apostle (December 21), John 20:24-29 (Thomas' post-Easter presence), Easter Tuesday chorus Cantata 134, "Ein Herz, das seinen Jesum lebend weiß" (A heart which doth its Jesus clearly know; BCW); St. Stephen, Martyr (December 26, BCW), Acts 6:8-7:60, solo Cantata 57 (Dialogus), "Selig ist der Mann" (Blessed is the man, Jas. 1:12, https://www.bach-cantatas.com/BWV57-D4.htm);
+St. John''s Day, apostle & evangelist (December 27, BCW), John 21:20-25 (Jesus & John), chorus Cantata 64, "Sehet, welch eine Liebe hat uns der Vater erzeiget" ( Mark ye how great a love this is that the Father hath shown us, John 3:1, BCW);
+Holy Innocents, Martyrs (December 28), Matthew 2:13-18 (Flight into Egypt), Sunday after New Year''s (Matthew 2:13-23, Flight into Egypt), solo Cantata 58 (Dialogus), "Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid [II]" (Ah God, how oft a heartfelt grief; BCW);
+Confession of St. Peter (January 18), Mark 8:27-9:1 (Jesus fortells his Passion), Septuagesimae chorale chorus Cantata 92, "Ich hab in Gottes Herz und Sinn" (I have to God's own heart and mind, BCW);
+St. Timothy, Pastor & Confessor (January 24), Matthew 24:42-47 (Parables about coming), Easter Monday chorus Cantata 6, "Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden" (Bide with us, for it will soon be evening, Luke 24-29; BCW);
+Conversion of St. Paul (January 25), Matthew 19:27-30 (Discipleship), Exaudi (Sunday after Ascension)solo Cantata 183, "Sie werden euch in den Bann tun [II]" (In banishment they will cast you, John 16:2, BCW;
+St. Titus, Pastor & Confessor (January 26), Luke 10:1-9 (Following Jesus), Cantata 44, Exaudi (Sunday after Ascension) chorus Cantata 44, "Sie werden euch in den Bann tun (I)" (In banishment they will cast you, John 16:2; BCW).
ENDNOTES
1 Leipzig Year One Church Year: (Carus Media, ), Lutheran Church Year 2024, BCW, BCW.
2 John's Gospel appropriate for the following services:
+3rd Sunday of Advent, John 1:6-8, 19-28 (Lectionary Library); Nativity of the Lord - Proper III, John 1:1-14 (Lextionary Library);
+2nd Sunday after Christmas, John 1:(1:1-9), 10-18 (Lextionary Library); 2nd Sunday after Epiphany, John 1:43-51 (Lextionary Library);
+3rd Sunday in Lent, John 2:13-22 (Lextionary Library);
+4th Sunday in Lent, John 12:20-33 (Lextionary Library); Palm Sunday, Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16 (Lectionary Library);
+Monday of Holy Week, John 12:1-11 (Lectionary Library); Tuesday of Holy Week, John 12:20-36 (Lectionary Library);
+Wednesday of Holy Week, John 13:21-32 (Lectionary Library);
+Maundy Thursday, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 (Lectionary Library); Good Friday, John 18:1-19:42 (Lectionary Library);
+Holy Saturday, Matthew 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42 (Lectionary Library);
+Resurrection of the Lord, John 20:1-18 (Lectionary Library) or Mark 16:1-8;
+2nd Sunday of Easter, John 20:19-31 (Lectionary Library);
4th Sunday of Easter, John 10:11-18 (Lectionar Library);
5th Sunday of Easter, John 15:1-8 (Lectionary Library); 6th Sunday of Easter, John 15:1-8 (Lextionary Library);
6th Sunday of Easter, John: 15:9-17 (Lectionary Library);
+7th Sunday of Easter, John 17:6-19 (Lexctionar Library);
+Pentecost Sunday, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 (Lectionary Library);
+Pentecost Monday, John 3:16-21 (Redeemer Anglican Cgurxh);
+Pentecost Tuesday, John 10:1-10 (Bible Oresnus); Trinity Sunday, John 3:1-17 (Lectionary Library);
+10th Sunday after Pentecost, John 6:1-21 Year B (Lectionary Library);
+11th Sunday after Pentecost, John 6:24-35 Year B (Lectionary Library);
+12th Sunday after Pentecost, John 6:35, 41-51 Year B (Lectionary Library);
+13th Sunday after Pentecost, John 6:51-58 Year B (Lectionary Library);
|+14th Sunday after Pentecost, John 6:56-59 Year B (Lectionary Library); Holy Cross observance, John 3:13-17 Year B (Lictionary Library);
+22nd Sunday after Pentecost, John 4:46-54 (Biblia); All-Saints Day, John 11:32-44 Year B (Lectionary Library);
+Christ the King (Last Sunday after Pentecost), John 18-33-37 (Lectionary Library).
3 Incipit translations: Z. Philip Ambrose, J. S. Bach: J. S. Bach: The Vocal Texts in English Translation with Commentary (Bloomington IN: Xlibris, 2020), UVM, Amazon.com.
4 John S. Sutterlund, Bach Through the Year: The Church Music of Johann Sebastian Bach and the Revised Common Lectionary (Minneapolis MN: Lutheran University Press, 2013: 54f), Amazon.com.
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To Come: Liturgy Lent Season. |
