It’s Fri… no it’s Saturday…
Yeah, well…
Had some technical difficulties…
One was internet problems… saw line-men across the street…
And the other was a memory issue… mine! I hadn’t realized it was Friday…
Too focused on Sunday… (or something!)
And better for it.
I mean we get our hopes up… but then we are hoping in the wrong place…
The world and it mechanization are not to be hoped in, trusted or ever counted upon to do the right thing…
And I mean the right thing, as in as God would have it… as He outlines in Scripture.
So our focus is to be the Cross and the Resurrection.
The Cross for here to put down our flesh, and the Resurrection to raise us up on the Last Day.
So…
What are these Latin names Sundays all about?
Well, the ones we have been using are the “Pre-Lent” ones. It is traditionally known as Gesimatide. They have their traditional readings and themes as well.
We started with Septuagesima, on February 1st, and that is 70 days from Easter (roughly), which we could also call the ninth Sunday BEFORE Easter or the 3rd Sunday before Lent and
Ash Wednesday.
This week focuses on the 70 years of Israel’s captivity in Babylon, which is symbolic (not for them, but for us) of our being held captive by sin. Easter brings release for this bondage.
Next is Sexagesima, on February 8th, this coming Sunday (tomorrow!), which is 60 days (roughly) before Easter, or the eighth Sunday before Easter; or the 2nd Sunday before Lent (and Ash Wednesday).
This week focuses on the protection of God as we go through this life– through the valley of the shadow of death. It also focuses on the power of the Word of God to accomplish all things.
And then it is Quinquagesima, on February 15th. This is 50 days (roughly) before Easter, or the seventh Sunday before Easter, or the Sunday before Lent (and Ash Wednesday is that coming Wednesday).
This week is the preparatory week for the up-and-coming Lenten fast. It focuses on the need for faith to see our own sin and to trust in Christ’s redemptive power in His Sacrifice and Resurrection.
Also for the needed sight to look beyond the things of this world to the world to come.
Why have them? They are semi-penitential.
Do we need more of those kinds of days? Yes, we do. We are to live a life of repentance, and this is living a preparatory life. We are preparing for Jesus’ return.
Or better said, we are putting ourselves into His hands, where He promises to be, to bring to us what we need– His Word and Sacrament.
Why?
Just like I started with… this world does not look very promising. It shouldn’t. It can’t. Please don’t get roped into thinking it can or will!
So then…
We are preparing for Easter by preparing for our death…
As in the text for Ash Wednesday, God tells us, “For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” [Genesis 3:19].
For the death of the old Adam. For the flesh to be drowned in Baptism. For it to be crucified with Jesus on Good Friday…
And then…
And then it is Sunday…
And then Easter comes!
Even tomorrow is a bit of Easter, as each Sunday is supposed to be.
This coming Sunday – Sexagesima Sunday – February 8st – 2026
Old Testament – Isiah 55:10-13
Epistle – 2 Corinthians 11:19-12:9
Gospel – Luke 8:4-15
Psalm – 84
Sermon – WHAT WE HAVE EVEN NOW – Based on The Old Testament Reading
Prayers: For a lasting peace in our world and in our cities—especially Minneapolis! That a lasting one would remain between the people of Israel and Gaza as well as for the people of Russia and the Ukraine. That the people of Iran would be free from tyranny and that the evil there would be put down. For our congregation that it would please our Lord that we would increase in numbers and there remain in this place a congregation that calls upon Him rightly, practicing the faith according to the Scriptures. For those who are being persecuted and murdered because they call upon the name of Jesus—especially in Africa. For the end of violence in our cities and that our schools and congregations would be protected from those who wish them harm. For our families that parents would courageously discipline their children and raise them in the fear of the Lord, teaching them about salvation in Jesus alone.