Never a Dull Moment: Weekly Message for 8-8-17

Dear Friends in Christ,

Hanging over the heat of August in the northern hemisphere looms the return of
the routine.

Some people dread the thought of the getting back to the routine schedules of school and work. Others relish it. Perhaps this latter group understands that the ordinary is the stuff of real life – and often the fertile soil for the extraordinary.

The Church’s liturgical calendar, with its 34 weeks of Ordinary time, reflects this reality.

Here, “Ordinary” doesn’t mean dull. Rather, its cycles of readings take us through the public ministry of Jesus, with his miracles and teachings and memorable encounters, all of which stir up hope in the mystery of salvation. Hence the season’s liturgical vestments are green, the hue of hope, a color of springtime.

The rhythm of Ordinary time helps us to weave the Gospel message into the fabric of our day-to-day lives – the time when we toil and study and raise families and take care of loved ones and neighbors.

It is often the time when we can form a range of virtues – patience, perseverance, hard work, service to others – that in turn help make the Gospel message come alive in the world. It can be the time when we become saints, with God’s grace.

So now is as good a time as ever to face into the routine of life – and see it as potentially extraordinary. To help you do that, try praying with one of our
Retreat Guides.

Eyes of faith see the routine of life for what it is: the ordinary realm where God’s grace can change us in extraordinary ways.

So don’t live life waiting for the next holiday. Savor the graces Our Lord extends in the midst of our ordinary time.

In Christ,

Father Edward McIlmail, L.C.
Ask a Priest contributor
contact@rcspirituality.org