News & Events
Extraordinary Graces in Ordinary Time
January 8, 2010
Seasonal Inspiration: By Rev. John Phalen, CSCIt is the season of transition from Christmas and Epiphany joy to what we call “Ordinary Time.” This is the time of the majority of the Sundays of the year celebrating the general mystery of Christ, rather than specifically his birth, as in Advent and Christmas or his paschal mystery, as in Lent and Easter.
But every Sunday is a celebration of the Resurrection, and the Mystery of God’s great love for us in the gift of his Son. So one could say that Ordinary Time is not ordinary at all! God’s work and presence among us is indeed an extraordinary blessing!
This is a time of weaving the Christian principles of love, forgiveness and service into the everyday of our lives. Each day brings its challenges. If one is in the northern hemisphere, perhaps the snow and ice may impede our progress. If one lives in the southern hemisphere, the summer sun can slow us down. Whatever impedes our progress, the Christian challenge is to conform our lives to Christ’s—and the Rosary, prayed in common by families, can be a wonderful way of meeting this goal.
God never abandons us and never forgets us, even if at times we feel the opposite. Where sickness or even death takes over the lives of our loved ones, there is still grace at work as the one affected accepts God’s will and those who witness this are somehow strengthened in faith.
When the busyness of our world has us confused and frustrated, some minutes spent in silent, contemplative prayer can calm our nerves and help us turn it all over to the Lord. We are never too busy to call on the One who gives us life and maintains us in that life.
Our anger and dissatisfaction at times can cause us to say things which may cause a rift in our relationships. The words cannot always be retracted. But the respect and love shown by the Christ to all human beings can humble us into asking pardon and seeking reconciliation.
In God’s world, all these elements are very ordinary. But as they bear fruit in our chaotic lives they are certainly extraordinary in that divine love can be so available to sinful human beings. There is extraordinary grace in “Ordinary Time”!