Sexagesima

Sexagesima Sunday is the second Sunday of the pre-Lenten season. As we approach the penitential season of Lent, now is a suitable time to lift our imperfect eyes from our imperfect circumstances and remember by Whom we were made and towards Whom we should set our hearts.

Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
    look at the earth beneath;
the heavens will vanish like smoke,
    the earth will wear out like a garment
    and its inhabitants die like flies.
But my salvation will last forever,
    my righteousness will never fail.

Isaiah 51:6

And do not despair that the burdens of this life are too heavy to carry:

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

May God bless you, kind visitor, with a humble and contrite heart, and strength to bear your burdens with hope.

Sexagesima Sunday

Today was Sexagesima Sunday, the second Sunday of three in the traditional short Septuagesima season of preparation for Lent. Una Voce of Orange County kindly provided liturgical Mass texts for the day here and here.

Athanasius contra Mundum drew attention to the story of Noah and the flood recounted in the Breviary on this day, showing how the old testament prefigures the new.