Ordinary does not mean boring!
The term "Ordinary Time" comes from the words "ordered" and "ordinal", not boring or everyday. You may have noticed this Sunday when you attended Holy Mass that it was the 2nd Sunday Ordinary Time. Each week is counted, from the week following the Baptism of the Lord until the beginning of Advent, with a little break for Lent and Easter. Then the counting resumes. As this season of Ordinary Time gets underway, think about the ways in which you can grow in your relationship with the Lord. Notice the readings also have this theme of continued growth:
- the second reading, usually from a Letter of St. Paul, continues from one week to the next
- the Gospel this year is usually taken from the book of Matthew, and these readings, too, pick up where we left off the week before.
- the first reading is chosen from many books of the Old Testament to help tie together the themes of the Gospel and second reading.
St. Agnes (January 21)
St. Agnes was a virgin martyr, raised in a wealthy family in the early Christian church. She made a promise to God to remain pure forever. When a man wished to marry Agnes, she would say "Jesus Christ is my only spouse." She was martyred at the age of 12 or 13 and is often pictured holding a lamb, because her name means "lamb".
It is on her feast day that lucky lambs are brought to the Pope for a special blessing. Their wool will be taken and woven into the pallium worn by archbishops around the world to symbolize their unity with the Pope
This year, the season of Ordinary Time is "interrupted" on a Sunday for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.
February 2
This feast, originally called the Purification of Mary, falls 40 days from Christmas, the birth of Jesus.
On this day, we hear about the child Jesus brought to the Temple and his parents offering two turtle doves. Simeon and Anna greet the child, and Simeon proclaims his Canticle:
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace, your word has been fulfilled. My own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people: a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.
Because Jesus is called the light to reveal the Lord to the nations, the liturgy on this day begins with a procession with lit candles and the blessing of candles. These candles will be used in the church throughout the year. Some churches even bless candles for families to take home and use in their homes.
The feast of the Presentation of the Lord is also the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. We remember especially those in religious life - sisters, nuns, monks, brothers and priests - who have like Simeon and Anna given their lives in worship of the Lord.
