Happy Septuagesima!
The AOC Sunday Report can be downloaded RIGHT HERE!
Today we have excellent sermons from Bishops Jerry and Roy, as well as Revs Jack and Bryan. Each is quite a bit different and each is very good. Rev Jack brings the Propers together today. His sermon can be viewed on video here -> https://youtu.be/PbWv0vB11-s
Today’s Collect asks God to see we put our trust in Him and not our own actions, which of course is our goal and seldom done in reality. Saint Paul reminds the people of Cornith and us no mater what we may face, as long as we put our trust in the Lord, it will turn out all right in the end. He enumerates his trials and tells us no matter, his only glory is in the Lord. The Gospel is Luke’s account of the parable of the sower, more correctly thought of as the parable of the four soils. Great stuff and it all comes together, listen or read to understand how.
What is Sexagesima?
Sexagesima, or, in full, Sexagesima Sunday, is the name for the Second Sunday before Ash Wednesday in the Catholic (Universal or Whole) Church Calendar.
The name "Sexagesima" is derived from the Latin sexagesimus, meaning "sixtieth," and appears to be a back-formation of Quinquagesima, the term formerly used to denote the last Sunday before Lent (the latter name alluding to the fact that there are fifty days between that Sunday and Easter, if one counts both days themselves in the total). Through the same process, the Sunday before Sexagesima Sunday is known as Septuagesima Sunday, and marks the start of the Pre-Lenten Season, which eventually became the time for carnival celebrations throughout Europe, this custom being later exported to places settled and/or colonized by Europeans. While Quinquagesima (50th day) is mathematically correct (allowing for the inclusive counting), Sexagesima and Septuagesima are only approximations (the exact number of days is 57 and 64 respectively). The earliest Sexagesima can occur is January 25 and the latest is February 28 (or February 29 in a leap year).
The 17-day period beginning on Septuagesima Sunday spanning Sexuagesima and Quinquagesima Sundays 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 marks the start of the carnival season, culminating on Shrove Tuesday, more commonly known as Mardi Gras.
The Gospel reading for Sexagesima week is the parable of the sower (Luke 8:4).
There is lot coming up in the week ahead, if you have a hard time seeing which way to head your self, consider asking God for a vector. That Third God Guy is a 7/24/365 fellow.
Have an EPIC week.
Godspeed,
Hap
Church of the Faithful Centurion
Descanso, California
United States of America
