Ordinary Time

The Latin phrase, "Tempus Per Annum" ("time throughout the year") is rendered into English as "Ordinary Time." That is the term that the Catholic Church uses to designate the two periods of the year that are not connected to the season of Advent and Christmas or the season of Lent and Easter. The first period of ordinary time begins with the evening prayer of the first Sunday following Epiphany, January 6. Although this is not part of my faith tradition, I was struck by the expression itself.

Some sources say that Ordinary Time gets its name from the word "ordinal" meaning numbered, since the Sundays of ordinary time are expressed numerically on the liturgical calendar. But others suggest that Ordinary Time is better related to our word "ordinary," since so much of life feels ordinary indeed after the celebratory season, in this instance, of Christmas and the beginning of the New Year. There were high points in Jesus' ministry, related to us in the Gospels, but we may recall that much of Jesus' life was ordinary too. He worshipped on the Sabbath, "as was his custom." He walked until He was tired, and then He sat down to rest. He ate with common folks, even sinner-people both rich and poor. He went about simply "doing good."

There are some ways we can make these weeks until spring and the celebration of the Resurrection something other than just "ordinary."

8Keep a gratitude journal. Scientific studies show that people who "count their blessings" regularly are happier than those who do not. Once a day, write five things that you are thankful for; they don't have to be earth-shattering, perhaps as simple as a good cup of coffee or your ride coming on time. On Sunday, read the list aloud, saying before each one, "God, I thank you for . . . ," purposely focusing on God's provision, rather than on what you do not have.

8Act on your faith. Look for ways to be kind and generous. Think of the small things you can do today rather than the big ideas that can be conveniently put off until some other time! Mother Teresa said, “We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”

8Read something of morally engaging value. During the seasons of special celebration, we become very busy and may not read much, but during ordinary days—especially in the winter months—we can take time to read what others have written about God and faith and the meaning of life. We don't have to agree with everything we read, and probably won't, but reading spiritually challenging literature is a good way to keep faith vibrant.

8Observe a day of rest and worship. If there are family members in the home, reserve some time with them. As with the other suggestions, this need not be elaborate. Just find something that makes this day special and save that activity for the day.

The weeks after Christmas until spring and Easter need not be a long boring stretch between the good stuff! It can be a time to try new things and refocus our energies on spiritual growth, becoming Exceptional and Rewarding Time rather than Ordinary!

MaryMartha

Information about Ordinary Time from www.churchyear.net and an article in Our Sunday Visitor online at http://www.osv.com by Woodeene Koenig-Bricker. Art from http://www.sxc.hu

Three Little Lambs

I have three tiny little lambs on the top of my computer desk, given to me by a good friend. They remind me while I am working that there are other things in life besides work, even though I find that interesting and rewarding.

One little lamb is just lying there, looking relaxed and pleasant. She doesn’t appear to be anxious about where to graze next or following the flock somewhere or anything else. She’s resting.

I used to think sleeping was a waste of time. It took quite a few years for me to realize that life is supposed to have rhythm, and if I disregard any of its aspects too greatly, I will pay in almost every other area. “He makes me lie down in green pastures,” the Psalmist wrote. (Psalm 23:2) That tells me that God expects me to stop my activity sometimes, and just rest.

But more may be happening with this little lamb than just resting. A sheep is among the group of animals called ruminants. Part of her stomach is a large storage area for food that she has consumed quickly, then later regurgitates, re-chews, and re-swallows in the process called cud-chewing. Rumination or cud-chewing is done mostly when the animal is resting and not actively eating. Healthy mature sheep may chew their cud for several hours each day.

Part of the rhythm of my life, I’ve learned, needs to be “ruminating”: thinking, dreaming, planning, pondering Scripture and what I have read elsewhere, processing the events of my days. The meaning of things escapes me if I only take in (graze) and never make time to think (chew the cud). So when I am quiet for several hours, I may be resting or I may be ruminating. (And you’ll never know which!)

The next little lamb has her eyes closed and little hoofs folded—well anyway, they’re together. I think she’s praying. She has a serious expression on her face, but it doesn’t look like worry. She must know that she has a Good Shepherd who is watching out for her and knows all of her concerns.

I know I’ll never learn all there is to know in the realm of prayer, but it’s something like breathing. I don’t have to know all the technicalities of my respiratory system in order to breathe satisfactorily. James Montgomery wrote in the words of a hymn, nearly two centuries ago, “Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath, the Christian’s native air.” When I’m short of breath, I get anxious, and likewise when I get anxious, I grow short of breath. Pretty much like praying! Sometimes I know I need to breathe more deeply, or I need fresher air. Sometimes prayer too takes extra attention and effort.

The third lamb is grinning and kicking up her heels. She is ready for play—a game of hide-and-seek or tag, or maybe just a run through the pasture. She is the one who has the most to teach me!

I grew up with a strong work ethic: “Finish your work first and then play.” This served me well during my years of schooling and early in my career. But as I grew older, I found myself with so much to do that when I worked first, I often never got around to doing the other things I wanted to do like reading, or needlework, or gardening, or taking a class. I don’t think it’s necessarily a good idea to play first, but I am learning to leave some time for “kicking up my heels.” Robert Fulghum (author of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten) had good advice for balancing life: learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. He just may have three little reminders on the top of his computer desk too.

MaryMartha

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email: mrymrtha@gmail.com