Pastor's Corner

Ordinary Time

Ever since the day after Pentecost, we have returned to the season the Church calls ‘Ordinary Time.’ For those who are not able to attend daily Mass, you likely wouldn’t have recognized it since the first two Sundays of ordinary time after Pentecost are also major feast days. The English term “Ordinary Time” betrays the intention behind the term. The Latin typical edition of the 2002 Missal refers to this season as tempus per annum or “time through the year.” When the Missal was first translated into English, the term “ordinary” was chosen because of its connection with the term “ordinal” or “numbered.” Put simply, these Sundays are called “Ordinary” because they are identified by their number (i.e. the Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time).

This doesn’t mean to imply that the mysteries we celebrate during this season are less than extraordinary. Archbishop Fulton Sheen often said that the liturgy of the Church allows us, in one calendar year, to revisit the Lord’s thirty-three years on earth: thirty years obeying, three years teaching, three hours redeeming.

Traditionally, these days are known as the “time after Pentecost” — and I think that designation is also food for thought. We, as members of the Church, live within the “days after Pentecost.” I’ve spoken now for a few Sundays about the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The mysteries of Christ’s life which we consider over these next several weeks are meant to provide a model to us of God’s love and our response in faith. But, to live the faith well, we require the assistance of the Holy Spirit, who motivates us and gives us strength. As we continue through these next weeks, invite the Holy Spirit into your faith, to open you to hear again the Gospel message as it unfolds in the months ahead.