Serotinal autumnal nycthemeral parity

Today is the Autumnal Equinox. The Sun crossed the celestial equator on its southerly course at 12:44 UTC (08:44 EST).  The Sun would be directly overhead as seen from a point in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean, 461 miles (743 km) SSW of Monrovia, Liberia.

You knew that the Equinox was coming because in the traditional Roman calendar, so much more closely harmonized with the rhythms of nature and Mother Earth, we observed the September Ember Days.

Here is a magnificent photo from APOD.  This is a solar analemma above the Temple of Apollo in ancient Corinth. The Sun’s position is at the upper mid-point.  This was made from exposures through the year on a single piece of film at the same time of day from 7 January to 20 December 2003.

Paul would certainly have stood in the sun’s shine and seen this temple with his own eyes.

Lesson from the first letter of St Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians (1 Cor 1:4-8)

Brethren: I give thanks to my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, because in everything you have been enriched in Him, in all utterance and in all knowledge; even as the witness to the Christ has been made so firm in you that you lack no grace, while awaiting the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who will also keep you secure unto the end, unimpeachable in the day of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

R. Thanks be to God.

Time marches on.

GO TO CONFESSION!