Happy Septuagesima!
The AOC Sunday Report is available RIGHT HERE!
We have excellent sermon this morning from the Bishops Jerry and Roy, as well as Revs Jack, and Bryan. Rev Jack brings the Propers together today. His sermon can be viewed on video here -> https://youtu.be/7oqs-HyhGds
Today’s Collect asks God to hear us and though we are due punishment for our imperfextion that He might account us as sufficient through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Saint Paul reminds the people of Cornith and us that we will never gain our crown of incorruption (eternal life) if we do not try; as successful racer must be coderate in all things. The Gospel is Matthew’s account of the parable of the vineyard workers with its many lessonsl It all comes together, listen or read to understand how.
As every week, we have a lot of people who desire your prayer. Please start with the Flanagan family, Michelle, Harry, Tricia, Shamu, Laurie and work out from there.
What is Septuagesima?
Septuagesima Sunday is the name given to the third Sunday before Lent. The term is sometimes applied to the period of the liturgical year which begins on this day and lasts through Shrove Tuesday (with the following day being Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins). This period is also known as the Pre-Lenten season or Shrovetide. The next two Sundays are labelled Sexagesima and Quinquagesima, the latter sometimes also called Shrove Sunday. The earliest Septuagesima Sunday can occur is January 18 (Easter falling on March 22 in nonleap year) and the latest is February 22 (Easter falling on April 25 in leap year).
Septuagesima comes from the Latin word for "seventieth," with Sexagesima and Quinquagesima equalling "sixtieth" and "fiftieth" respectively. They are patterned after the Latin word for the season of Lent, Quadragesima, which means "fortieth" because Lent is forty days long (not counting the Sundays, which are all considered little Easters). Because a week is only seven days long, not ten, and since even then only six of those days might be counted if the pattern of Quadragesima is followed, Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima, don't literally correspond to the periods of time they imply. It is interesting, however, that just about 70 days (68 actually) is the minimum number of days between the octave day of the Epiphany on January 14 and Easter, implying that a season just about 70 days long can always fit between the two.
The 17-day period beginning on Septuagesima Sunday was intended to be observed as a preparation for the season of Lent, which is itself a period of spiritual preparation (for Easter). In many countries, however, Septuagesima Sunday still marks the start of the carnival season, culminating on Shrove Tuesday, more commonly known as Mardi Gras. The Gospel reading for Septuagesima week is the parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16).
There is a lot going on in the week ahead, some of it good some of it bad, you'll have a lot better feeling about the week if you will open your heart to God's guidance. That Third God Guy can be a big help.
Godspeed,
Hap
Church of the Faithful Centurion
Descanso, California
United States of America
