I have spent time pondering the idea of growing in faith at times that organically or spontaneously occur in our own life cycle (I have experienced that!) or focusing on growing in step with the organized calendar of Christianity’s liturgical seasons. Really, I don’t think it needs to be an either/or – it can be both/and. Faith growth that sprouts at our own times – based upon the seasons and circumstances of our own personal lives – sprouts and grows depending upon our own situations. Our own circumstances are infinitely varied. With this growth, I like to think of it happening within a phrase I recently came upon – within “The Hermitage Within.” What, though, of faith development that is nurtured by liturgical seasons?
With Pentecost some time behind us, we are well into what the Christian liturgical calendar (for many liturgically-oriented denominations) calls “Ordinary Time” – the times in the year that are not part of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter. Our first period of “Ordinary Time” in the annual liturgical calendar (the calendar itself starts at the beginning of Advent) is between the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (after the Christmas season) and the beginning of Lent. Our second period of Ordinary Time happens between Pentecost and the beginning of Advent.
When we talk of “Ordinary Time” in our liturgical calendar, we are not simply describing “ordinary” time in the sense of “plain” or “a period of nothing special.” Rather, the term “ordinary” comes from the word “ordinal” – meaning numbered/ordered (“1st Week of Ordinary Time,” “2nd week of Ordinary Time,” etc.)
So, what are we – as parishioners – to do with this counted (ordinary) time on our liturgical calendar? Our personal and communal faith need never be “ordinary” in the sense of “plain,” or “nothing special.” God loves us and we are adopted daughters and sons of God. We always have the opportunity to allow God to transform us into the people God intends for us to be – there is absolutely nothing “ordinary” about that! Such transformation – when we surrender to allowing God to change us – truly is extraordinary. We absolutely can surrender to this process year-round – including during “Ordinary Time.”
Liturgies – every church service we attend – is designed to help us surrender to this transformative encounter with God.
Looking for a deeper encounter with liturgy when you attend church? Be fully present – attentive with no distraction. Pray before church, ask God to help you to fully experience the service. Get involved in church beyond attending on Sunday. Volunteer at church – volunteering requires being attentive to what’s happening – a great bonus! Read faith books regularly. In short, be an attentive participant!
Kim Burkhardt blogs at A Parish Catechist. If you are a new visitor, it would be great to have you subscribe to follow this blog (it’s free – thank you!). If you know someone who would like this blog, please share it with them and invite them to subscribe (thank you!).
