Perfectly OrdinaryAugust 18, 2025

We have just passed the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. This reflection isn’t about the Sunday readings. It’s about Ordinary Time. There are 34 Sundays in this liturgical category. That is a lot of ordinary!

I have wondered why we refer to this this period on the liturgical calendar as “Ordinary Time.” There is an explanation: the word “ordinary” comes from the Latin term “ordinalis” which refers to numbers in a series. Ordinary Time refers to the numbered Sundays that are not part of a particular liturgical season like Advent, Christmas, Lent, or Easter.

So much for the Latin origin explanation.

It seems to me that “Ordinary Time” is just that: the passing and ongoing time of routines and ordinariness. It is tempting to think that this time isn’t special, is just made up of routine days and weeks, and the really “special” seasons are what count. But that is a mistaken assumption.

It is in the ordinary times that God approaches us: in our daily routines, in our relationships whether they or not they are comfortable, in our efforts to grow spiritually a well as personally. These are the times when God hugs us, tugs us, and bugs us. These are the times to pay attention, be present, and realize how much God is in the ordinary times, loving us and drawing us ever closer.

Happy Ordinary!

Sister Elaine Berkopec