Weekly Thoughts

These last few days have seen an astronomical turning point the Autumn equinox occurred at 1.06 a.m. on 23 September. This means that the sun was overhead at the equator and day and night were equal all over the world. Strictly speaking the last part of that sentence was not quite true. Sunrise and sunset are measured when the centre of the sun’s disc is on the horizon but of course light begins to break as soon as the sun’s disc appears above the horizon this means that the equilux, when day and night are actually equal occurs a few days after the equinox, according to latitude this will happen this year on 25 or 26 September. While the equinox itself cannot be seen, the day has cultural and spiritual significance for some people. Gatherings took place at sites including Stonehenge, where people came together to mark the occasion and watch the Sun rise.

Our church calendar is partly astronomical as much of it depends on the date of Easter which is determined by the date of the full moon which occurs on or after 21 March (incidentally the Spring Equinox) the determination of the exact date is complicated by the desire to align the date with that of the Jewish Passover. As a result, a whole cycle of observances from Shrove Tuesday to the Divine Compassion of Christ depend on the date of Easter and are thus termed movable feasts. Other observances, the fixed feasts, are related to Christmas which covers everything from the First Sunday in Advent to Candlemas. 

For us the change at the Autumn equinox is all the more marked because of the switch from British Summer Time to Greenwich Mean Time which occurs this year on 25 October. On that day because of the change of clocks sunset will apparently occur an hour earlier than it did the day before and the dark evenings will have definitely arrived. All this reminds us is that the earth, our planetary home, is part of a much, much larger whole, the solar system and the universe. We may think of it in terms of coming home from work in the dark, but it is in fact a reminder of our place in the much bigger solar system and all that lies beyond. It is a cause of humility, as we are reminded of our place in creation and also of thanksgiving for the mercy of God who created the universe and sustains it in being from day to day and hour by hour.

READINGS AND PRAYERS

27 SEPTEMBER – SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY – Matthew 21.23-32 – The pharisees cross question Jesus - for those seeking a greater understanding of our Faith

28 SEPTEMBER - Monday – Job 1. 6-end – the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away – for all facing adversity

29 SEPTEMBER – MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS – Revelation 12.7-12 – war in heaven – all engaged in spiritual warfare

30 SEPTEMBER – Wednesday – Job 8.1-12, 14-16 – how can a mortal be just before God? – that we may grow in trust of the Lord’s mercy

1 OCTOBER – Thérèse of Lisieux, Religious – Matthew 18. 1-5 – become like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven – for simplicity in our faith

2 OCTOBER – Friday – The Holy Guardian Angels – Exodus 23.20-23 – I will send an angel before you – thanksgiving for God’s love and protection

3 OCTOBER – Saturday – Job 42.1-3, 6, 12-end – the Lord blesses Job – thanksgiving for all God’s blessings