Don’t Skip Ordinary Time
“There is something holy, something divine hidden in the most ordinary situations, and it is up to each one of you to discover it … there is no other way, my daughters and sons: either we learn to find our Lord in ordinary, everyday life, or we shall never find Him” (St. Josemaría Escrivá).
It’s the end of summer. The weather is changing—ever so slightly in Texas—as we transition into a new season. Fall is here, with school in session, new routines, and pumpkin spice lattes.
Yet, we saw the beginning of fall as summer was in its last month. Halloween advertisements, posts, and memes emerged before August ended. Our culture reminds us again to look toward the next event instead of living fully in the present season.
It’s easy to be caught up in thinking of Halloween in August, planning Thanksgiving in October, preparing for Christmas in October and November, and wanting Christmas to be over by the second week of December—constantly rushing toward the next season without pausing to reflect on our spiritual, mental, and physical needs.
Unfolding the Mystery of Christ
The Catholic Church has a different rhythm of life, expressed through the liturgical year. The liturgical year has six seasons (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Triduum, Easter, and Ordinary Time), through which “unfolds the whole mystery of Christ” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1194). We are invited to meditate on Jesus at all times and seasons. Each liturgical season offers us time to pause and reflect on specific moments of Jesus’ life and death so as to grow more deeply in our relationship with him.
Ordinary Time is a beautiful liturgical season that we often brush over as the time between Christmas and Lent and between Easter and Advent. It’s seen as a boring placeholder between the more important seasons of celebration and preparation. But, Ordinary Time is far from boring and is more than a simple placeholder; great spiritual growth can occur during this season.
In Ordinary Time, we enter into the hidden mystery of our faith as we learn about the everyday life of Jesus Christ. We see the life of Jesus and the fullness of his teachings and works. This is the season for continuous conversion, for growing closer to the heart of Jesus. He shows us that the path of holiness is in the simple everyday moments. Ordinary Time invites us to go deeper into the Scriptures and allow the Word of God to form our heart and our actions.
More Than the Big Moments
We often see our spiritual journey as big moments, filled either with preparation or celebration. We feel that we can only grow closer to the Lord in those life-changing moments. I know I have. But our spiritual journey is more than just the big moments; it’s the “yes” to Jesus in our day-to-day moments. It is finding Jesus in the ordinary that strengthens and deepens our relationship with him.
The same Jesus who was born in a manager and died on the cross for us is the same Jesus who danced at a wedding, told parables, and broke bread with his disciples. He gives us all that we need to live well. He shows us in the ordinary how to live an extraordinary life filled with compassion, mercy, and love. Ordinary Time is the season to see and find Jesus in the ordinary moments. It is the season to nurture our soul with his words and actions.
Ordinary Time ends with the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, reminding us that Christ reigns forever, as Advent begins our new liturgical year. As our culture quickens its pace toward the holiday season, let us slow down and sit in the ordinary moments. It is those moments that deepen the beauty of the manager and the cross.
Let us celebrate Ordinary Time by growing deeper in our relationship with Christ as we look for him in our everyday.
Alexandra (Alex) Harrel resides in Irving, Texas. She is a new student affairs professional within the world of higher education. In her spare time, she loves reading, listening to podcasts, and spending time outdoors. Her favorite prayer is Hail, Holy Queen. You can follow her on Instagram at @2012alexandra.