There’s Nothing Ordinary About Ordinary Time

During this time of year, I sometimes find myself in a bit of a doldrum in worship. The bulletin says something like, '"The One Thousandth Sunday after Pentecost." and I take a deep breath. When will Advent get here?  This is that long season of what the church calendar calls "ordinary time." 

When I've taught about worship in confirmation classes, I usually hand out copies of a liturgical calendar (see graphic).  The calendar is represented as a wheel/circle, because God's time is not our time.  The students usually see the two big blocks of green and laugh at the term, "ordinary time."

In the liturgical sense, "ordinary" is not boring. In fact, it's anything BUT ordinary.  During these two times of the year, we, as the Church, strive to apply the lessons Jesus taught through his life. We 'order' ourselves to live according to Jesus' teaching and example.  Why do we have two sections of ordinary time? 

The first (and shorter) bit of ordinary time is in reflection of the Incarnation. During this time, we reflect on the meaning of Jesus coming to be human.  The second larger section is after the great Advent/Easter/Pentecost part of our calendar. We spend the rest of the liturgical year reflection on the sacrifice Jesus made and the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

Advent is coming, and a new liturgical year begins.  However, let us not run too quickly to the Incarnation, and let us reflect on how God can "order" our lives during this fall season.  If you'd like to order one of these calendars, I can give you the website. (I receive no compensation.).

PS: in case you're wondering where we are on the calendar, it's about the "7:00" position on the wheel.