A misnomer

     The Church today enters a time that she calls Ordinary, comprising over thirty weeks during the calendar and the Church year.  Ordinary Time are those days NOT included in the special liturgical feasts and seasons.  Most commonly they are noted by the wearing of green as the the liturgical color.  But they are anything but "ordinary".

     Through this period the Church journeys - in the Scriptures, in her Worship, and in her daily life to draw closer to the Lord.  Every step along the way, whether ordinary and routine or filled with extraordinary grace, are steps that define who we are and unveil our goals, that inspire us to invest in God's grace and propel us to become Christ for others.  These are ordinary days only if allow them to be ordinary.  They are meant to be the steps of our journey of a lifetime.

      There are two options for the Gospel reading today, both from Mark.  In one Jesus proclaims that "This is the time of fulfillment.  The Kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent, and believe in the Gospel."  Then he gathers followers around him and sets out.  In the other he teaches, for he is the divine teacher, but much to the peoples' astonishment, with authority.  His fame spread.  No ordinary message and no ordinary hope given to the world.

     The name Ordinary Time is truly a misnomer!