Kay Murdy

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FIRST PART OF ORDINARY TIME

The Sundays of the major seasons of the year are distinguished by their relationship to the Solemnities of Christmas and Easter. The rhythm of these liturgical seasons reflects the rhythm of life — with its celebrations and its seasons of growth. Ordinary Time, meaning ordered or numbered time, is celebrated in two segments. 1) From the Monday following the Baptism of Our Lord to Ash Wednesday. 2) From Pentecost Monday to the First Sunday of Advent. This makes it the longest season of the Liturgical Year. The Church counts thirty-three or thirty-four Sundays of Ordinary Time (60% of the Church's calendar), inviting us to meditate upon the whole mystery of Christ – his life, miracles and teachings – in the light of his Resurrection. The vestments for Ordinary Time are usually green, the color of hope and growth.

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord brings the Christmas season to a close. Baptism forgives all sin and incorporates one in the life of the Trinity. Believers are given a share in the divine nature. In addition, baptism makes one a member of the body of Christ and of the visible manifestation of that body, the Church, and provides a share in the mission of Jesus. Water is the main symbolic element that conveys the sacrament of baptism, along with the words, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." That triple plunging or immersing in the water symbolizes dying to the old self. Coming up out of the water corresponds to being born as a new person in Christ (Catechism of the Catholic Church p. 1239-40).

The season of Ordinary Time helps us to meditate on the mighty works of God through Jesus Christ. It is a time to grow in our faith in response to God's invitation to follow Jesus to the cross. We have a challenge to make our ordinary days extraordinary!

SECOND PART OF ORDINARY TIME

The feast of Pentecost officially closes the fifty days of the Easter Season. The Paschal candle, which has been kept in the sanctuary throughout the Easter Season and lighted during the liturgy, is taken from the sanctuary at the end of the Mass of Pentecost, sometimes in procession, and placed in the church's baptistery where it remains for the rest of the year.

The second part of Ordinary Time begins with the day after Pentecost and runs to the Saturday before the First Sunday of Advent. The Masses of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity and the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ replace the first two Sundays of this season of Ordinary Time.

The season of Ordinary Time helps us to meditate on the mighty works of God through the Risen Christ and the sending of the Spirit. It is a time to grow in our faith in response to God's invitation to follow Jesus. We have a challenge to make our ordinary days extraordinary!