On Sexagesima Sunday

O God, who seest that we put not our trust in any thing that we do: mercifully grant, that by the protection of the Doctor of the Gentiles we may be defended against all adversities. Though our Lord…
- Collect for the Mass

Today the Latin Church celebrates Sexagesima Sunday. Sexagesima means “sixtieth” an approximation of the sixtieth day before Easter. In the Greek Church, this Sunday is known as Meatfare Sunday for this is the last day for eating meat in preparation for Pascha.

Notice that St. Paul is mentioned many times in the proper of the Mass, this was because the Stational Church was at the Basilica of St. Paul, Outside the Walls. The Collect refers to him as the “Doctor of the Gentiles” and the Epistle relates his sufferings.

In the Gospel (Luke 8:4-15), our Lord tells about the parable of the sower. A certain sower scatters seeds but some fell on the road, on rocky areas, on thorny areas and on good ground. Our Lord further explains that the seed refers to the Word of God. The first three places where the seed fell refer to men who heard the Word but were not good enough to keep it in their hearts and apply it to their lives. On the other hand, good ground refers to men who hears, keeps and applies the Word.

Fr. Zuhldorf in his blog article WDTPRS Sexagesima Sunday: “that we may be fortified against every adverse thing”, relates the seed of the parable, in context with the Holy Mass, as the “Host… Christ the High Priest sows in us”.

How do we receive the Word of God, made flesh? Do we receive him with unrepented and impure heart just like bad ground? Or, do we receive him with a contrite and pure heart just like good ground? Let us pray to receive him worthily in Holy Communion and in the Scriptures.

Further Readings:

• Luke 8:4-15

• Mershman, F., article Sexagesima in Catholic Encyclopedia, 1912.

• Zuhldorf, blog post WDTPRS Sexagesima Sunday: “that we may be fortified against every adverse thing” in WDTPRS, 2012.