This weekend, we embark back into our Sundays in Ordinary Time. On Sundays following the Easter Season we celebrate the different mysteries of the Faith. After Pentecost ended the Season of Easter, we celebrated Holy Trinity Sunday, followed by Corpus Christi. As we enter back into this hallowed time, here are some fun facts about Ordinary Time:
- Green is the liturgical color of Ordinary Time that we find on priestly vestments and in our church decor. It is the color of life and hope. Ordinary Time is divided into two time periods. Following the Baptism of our Lord is the first period, which continues until Ash Wednesday. Pentecost Sunday starts the second period of Ordinary Time, the longest liturgical season, as it continues until the Advent season begins again.
- Ordinary Time is anything but ordinary. This is a time of conversion, maturation, and quiet growth. It comprises the longest time on the liturgical calendar when the faithful consider the fullness of Jesus’ teachings and miracles while on this earth. The second season of Ordinary Time follows the celebration of Pentecost; the gift of the Holy Spirit moves us to do God’s work. The Spirit does for us and the Church what Jesus did for his disciples — he left them with his love, fire, and Spirit to share with the world. Trinity Sunday is celebrated the first Sunday after Pentecost. The Holy Trinity, gives us fullness in Christ — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The next Sunday is Corpus Christi, which commemorates the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith and many parishes celebrate Eucharistic processions or Holy Hours at this time.
- The final Sunday in Ordinary Time is the feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, traditionally called the feast of Christ the King. We revere our Lord as the King of all – and pray that all on earth may praise him now — as we look forward to living with him eternally in heaven forever.
- The season of Ordinary Time that occurs in the warmer months may prompt us to link our daily prayers with the enjoyment of nature: pray outdoors when taking a walk, plant some flowers and watch them grow, wake up early for some personal prayer time and enjoy the sunrise, incorporate a family prayer time and pray as the Rosary on outings.
Ordinary Time is a great time for us to recall all the things that our Lord has done for us. It is anything but “ordinary.”
- Fr. Andrew