Ordinary Time is the period in the Church Year during which Catholics immerse themselves in the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ. It falls in two parts on the liturgical calendar. The first part begins after Christmas Time—specifically, the day after the Baptism of the Lord. The second part falls after Easter Time, starting on the Monday after Pentecost. During Ordinary Time, we focus on the ministry and mission of Jesus Christ. We are settled back into our ordinary season until November. How can we make this time extra-ordinary?
Why Is It Called Ordinary Time? The word ordinary is derived from the Latin for “following the usual course” and “counted.” Jesus’ “usual course” is teaching, ministering, and praying. The Sundays of Ordinary Time are counted. During this period, the Sunday Gospels are proclaimed in the order they appear in the Bible. After the mountaintop experience of Easter Time, we focus now on the vision of Christ for the Kingdom of God and what we need to do to get there.
What Are Catholics Called to Do During This Period? Much of Ordinary Time falls in the summer months during which children aren’t in school or attending their parish faith formation programs. In “Ordinary Time Quandry,” Peg Bowman offers some suggestions for incorporating the Communion of Saints into Ordinary Time discussions. View this short video “Ordinary Time . . . anything but ordinary” by Bishop Edward Scharfenberger for additional insight into Ordinary Time.
Image credit: PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay
