Second? “What happened to the First Sunday in Ordinary Time?” you might ask. Well, the true “Season of Ordinary Time” began in earnest as the final psalms, songs and prayers of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord concluded. Monday began the First Week in Ordinary Time, and so we celebrate at the Lord’s Day Masses this weekend the Sunday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time. “Ordinary” in our usage as Church refers to the fact that these are weeks which we “count” between the great celebrations of Christmas and Lent, and to the fact that the readings and prayers of this season are governed by the Ordo devised by the Church, not by a single or series of major feasts.

     In the prayer for Morning Prayer above, we hear the Church reflecting on, being formed by, and praying in the Spirit of the Mystery of Jesus Christ. We can do so more fully for having given ourselves the time and the chance to dwell with the Mystery of the Incarnation – Jesus TRULY having become one with us! We are able, also, to immerse ourselves more fully and more fruitfully in the readings and prayers prescribed for us in Ordinary Time because we do hold in faith the wonder of Christ’s resurrection, not only revealed to us but accomplished for us.

     When I can, after cutting the grass “at home” in Leominster, the experience is more complete for having the time to sit in my chair, to look over the newly cut blades, to see the patterns made by the lawnmower, and to smell that satisfying “fresh-cut-grass” smell. Every day, and especially every Sunday in Ordinary Time is a rich gift of time to revel in every drop of Mystery we have celebrated, and will celebrate. It’s not a time of recovering, or waiting, or running flat for a while. It is time in and with Christ, with you!