We are currently in the longest season of the Church Year. This season consists of 25 Sundays of the year. (That's not counting the 6 Sundays in the Epiphany season of Ordinary Time). I touched on the basics of Ordinary Time on my blog back in 2012 (see this post here) and went a little more in-depth in this post here. Fun fact, some denominations split this season of Ordinary Time into two parts (before Reformation Sunday and After Reformation Sunday).
In essence, Ordinary Time is a season to focus on our faith as we dive into different aspects of it, particularly our missions outreach and discipleship. The "Ordinary" comes from "Ordinal" meaning Counted. Green is the color for this season
This site here covers the basic focus, mood, and symbols or Ordinary Time. This site here gives three ways to observe this season, as we reconsider how our ordinary activities can be moments to commune with God. This site here does a good summarizing the focus and purpose of Ordinary Time. This site here reminds us that Ordinary Time is the season for celebrating the work we do for God, both in big and small ways, as we focus on the Great Commission, living in community, and reminding ourselves of God's faithfulness.
During this bout of Ordinary Time, I will be diving deeper into Romans 12 here on my blog. I love this chapter of Romans and have often thought that going through it verse by verse (or rather sentence by sentence or thought by thought) would be a good idea. There is so much to chew on in that chapter!!
Ordinary Time does not have to mean dull or boring. In a culture that rushes after the feast days and spurns both the fast days and the Ordinary days, we can choose to live differently. Instead of following the tide of our culture, looking for something big, exciting, or new, we can choose to faithfully be discipled by the Holy Spirit, as we allow ourselves to be molded into most Christ-like individuals. This isn't something that is studied into being, but rather it is something that comes from faithfully putting it into practice. We tend to view our faith as an exam we cram for. We act like if we know the right facts, we will live the right way. But a better analogy might be learning to play an instrument or practicing a martial arts. We live the right way through practice and imitation as what is new and uncomfortable becomes something familiar and ultimately second nature to us.
What will you dive deeper into this season?
No comments:
Post a Comment