Ordinary Time

I didn’t grow up with the liturgical calendar. It just wasn’t something that my church or family did. I don’t know the name of most holy days which leads to more listening than discussing when I am in a room full of people who do. 

For me, writing a liturgical reflection means research. I can’t reflect on something that I don’t know anything about. I have never heard the term Ordinary Time, but I love researching new things. 

When I first started researching Ordinary Time, most of the information I was finding simply explained that Ordinary Time was a way to describe and count the weeks between the seasons.

This didn’t seem right to me. Why would I be reflecting on something so plain? Something so simple? 

I needed to know more. I needed to dig deeper.

While the word ordinary in Ordinary Time does refer to ordinal numbers, there is more to the season than just a way to count Sundays between the seasons of Lent and Advent. 

To me, Ordinary Time is a season of growth. 

Growth within ourselves, growth within our relationship with The Holy Trinity, and growth within our ministry.

It is a time of reflection on the early ministry of Jesus. It is a time of reflection for those who received a call during Easter.

While Ordinary Time is an “off season,” it is more than just a way to count the weeks. As we come to a close on this season of Ordinary Time, we should remember to grow, reflect, receive, and help.