“Ordinary Time” that is not ordinary
My Church liturgical calendar is before me as I write this note. I’m counting six liturgical seasons beginning from December but for counting purposes I will start in January with Ordinary Time after Epiphany, followed by Lent, Easter and Ordinary Time after Pentecost, Advent and Christmas. These seasons are symbolized by four colors. The year begins with white, then green, followed by purple, white, red and then green. Green is more prominent, and it represents the “Ordinary Time.”
So, why is green more prominent than other colors and why is it called Ordinary Time? Does it mean that this season of the Church is not important or nothing of significance happens in the Church calendar? Is it just ordinary? It is important to know the meaning of the season rather than just assuming the meaning of the name. This is important because some Christians have interpreted this season of the Church as unimportant. Some Christians become inactive until next season when the colors of the Church change to white or purple – Christmas and Easter.
Ordinary Time, for some of us in the western world is a low season of the Church. We become inactive in Church “stuff.” We take a break. I’m bothered by the idea that it seems there is season when a Christian is supposed to be inactive or just ordinary or takes a break in religious things. The pews are empty and attendance is low in many Churches. Why? The scripture calls the followers of Jesus Christ to be inwardly strong and outwardly focused in season and out of season (2 Tim 4:2). There is no ordinary time for a Christian! Green color does not give us the green light to do whatever we want. It's the liturgical season for growth.
When you see green robes, green vestments, green paraments around the Church this season, remember it not just Ordinary Time for Christians to be inactive, rather it is time for the Church to blossom. It is time for the Church to ‘reveal green’ in the world.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” – Matt 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples” is the green time for the Church. It is time for every believer to allow Christ to stir up their faith and to blossom in the dark world; it is time to bear fruit of the Kingdom.
After Pentecost, the early Church according to the book of Acts, was set loose into the world. Christians formed “small groups” gathering in homes for prayers and breaking bread. Men and women were empowered by the gift of the Holy Spirit and began to preach the gospel without fear or intimidation. It was not ordinary time for the early disciples and it is not ordinary for the Church today. The Holy Spirit is here with us. We are enlivened. Let us join the crowd of witnesses in this “Ordinary Time” to do extraordinary work for the Kingdom of God.
It is time to blossom. It is time to be stirred up by the Holy Spirit. It is time bear fruit. So, if it is not Advent, Christmas, Lent or Easter, it is Ordinary Time. Go therefore make disciples.