Ordinary Time
Ordinary Time
A large part of the Liturgical Year is not taken up by either of the two great celebratory seasons of Christmas and Easter or by their two seasons of preparation, Advent and Lent. This large period is known as Ordinary Time. It runs from the end of Christmastide to the beginning of Lent and from the end of Eastertide and the celebration of Pentecost to the beginning of Advent. It is a period when the Church unfolds the mystery of Christ enabling us to develop our life with Him and grow in hope. This is achieved by our regular attendance at mass on Sundays as the Word of God and the sacrament of the Eucharist enables us to bear good fruit when we are open to their graces.
St John Paul II wrote, ‘Do not be afraid to give time to Christ! Yes, let us open our time to Christ that he may cast light upon it and give direction. Time given to Christ is never time lost but rather time gained so that our relationships and indeed our whole life may become more profoundly human’.