There's Nothing Ordinary about Ordinary Time!

It's amusing how our perception of a word in contemporary usage can mislead us about its original meaning. Ordinary Time (also called tempus per annum) is the period in the liturgical year that falls outside the two major seasons celebrated by Catholics annually: Christmas and Easter, along with their preparatory seasons, Advent and Lent. However, do not consider Ordinary Time as less significant; after all, Christ's three years of ministry took place during what we celebrate as Ordinary Time. His entire message of the Good News and the foundation for our path to Heaven were established through the everyday preaching and healing of his ministry.

The term 'ordinary' refers to a numbered sequence, which is how Ordinary Time is referenced, week by week through Jesus's ministry. An important perspective to consider is that out of 52 weeks in a year, 33 weeks (or 34, depending on the year) are considered the season of Ordinary Time. That's more than half of every liturgical year being dedicated to this liturgical season! The season is divided into 2 periods. The first runs from the Monday after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (the Sunday after January 6th) until the start of Lent. The second part begins on the Monday after Pentecost and continues until the beginning of Advent.

It's very easy to get caught up in the business of our ordinary lives between the major religious seasons of Christmas and Easter, but we shouldn't get distracted and lose our holiday fervor. This season allows us to grow deeper into our connection with the life of Christ, to establish a relationship with the living breathing son of God who is present at all times waiting for communion with us. Now is a great time to reconnect to the importance of Ordinary Time in our everyday lives. Each Sunday, take a moment to reflect on where you are in the liturgical calendar. When you sit down at mass, or preferably before mass, reflect on what week we are celebrating. What has God accomplished through you so far in the liturgical year? How have you grown spiritually? Ponder how God wants to prepare you for the next great feast. What will you be doing to prepare for his arrival spiritually? You don't have to wait until Advent to start spiritually preparing. Today marks the beginning of the 15th week in Ordinary Time. We are not that far past the Easter season, and in a blink, we will be putting up Christmas decorations. Take this time to recenter yourself on God's plan for your life this year.

Green was chosen as the color to represent Ordinary Time to focus our attention on this as a season for growth. In addition to focusing on Christ's teachings during this season, we can look to the saints for their examples of living out our call to a life of holiness. So many humble servants lived simple lives of quiet service - St Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta and SO many more! Make the weeks of Ordinary Time a visual experience in your household just like you would the major seasons of the liturgical year. Incorporate green into your decor somewhere in prominent view in your home. It doesn't have to be over-the-top like Christmas or Easter, just some green touches around your space (office, home, or car). A green pillow cover for a chair in your living room, a green table runner, a green candle, a green coffee mug. The possibilities are endless, but the point is to reconnect with a time that often gets lost in our lives. A great way to bring awareness to the seasons in mass is to quiz your kiddos on what color the priest will be wearing, or what season the church's decorations represent. Afterall, we should be paying attention to those things, as well.

Let's keep the extraordinary alive during Ordinary Time!

All you Holy Saints, pray for us!