Praise be Jesus Christ forever and ever. Amen.
This is the 2nd
Sunday of Ordinary Time. Google “Ordinary
Time,” it is defined as the part of the liturgical year outside
the seasons of Advent-Christmas and Lent-Easter.
That is kind of an “ordinary
definition.”
The Church’s definition is
more Christ centered: Ordinary Time
is a time for growth and maturation in which the mystery of Christ is called to
penetrate ever more deeply into history until all things are finally caught up
in Christ.
In our part of the country,
the ordinary time between Christmas and Easter is King Cake and Mardi Gras
season. That is not a bad thing. The king cake with
the baby inside, reminds us always look to find Jesus. Mardi Gras celebrates goodness
and blessings before Lenten penance for our unworthiness as wait the return of Christ.
It is in these times, we
reflect God’s glory to all around us by what we say and what we do.
It
is also a time people fall back to ordinary routines and everyday habits – good and bad. Back to their normal ways, which may be missing time to pray; missing time to praise and
worship God; missing mass; and missing the sacraments.
St. John Paul II said - If faith
is not fully incorporated into our culture then we do not fully accept it.
Think about that for a second……, if faith is not fully part of our life, do we
really have faith? Sadly, faith is no longer an ordinary part of culture.
The world accepts the dismissal of faith as the ordinary. A world that is waging a battle against Christian faith; making the hurt of sin as the accepted actuality of “everyday” life.People of faith are at risk of falling to this peril by the ordinary in the “everyday” world.
This “everyday” becomes the ordinary. Friends take care and do not
fall into this ordinary.
Jesus Christ came to the
world so we would not worry on “everyday” life. (Mt 6:25) Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, takes away the sin of
the world. (Jn 1)
We receive grace upon grace (Jn 1:16) that feeds our souls. And, our baptism, the sacraments, and the Holy
Spirit prepare us to fight against “everyday” ordinary life of this world.
It is a fight for our souls and
the souls of the ones coming after us. (Jn 1) It will be easy for those who
come after to reject faith they know nothing about.
You may ask, how do I fight
against the everyday world? I cannot do this. There is
nothing special about me.
Even John the Baptist said
he was unworthy, but he was the voice that cried out in wilderness. He had the strength of this voice, because God called
him.
Our strength is Jesus Christ
the Son of God. Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony.
(1 Jn 5:10)
Holy was John the Baptist. Holy
was St. Paul. Holy are those who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Rm 10:13). In our holiness, the LORD
calls each of us by name. Called to Christ Jesus by the will of God. (1 Cor 1:2)
Friends answer God’s
calling, “Here am I, Lord; I come to do
your will.” Announce God’s
justice. Put a song on your lips and God’s hymn in your heart. Because God
the Father sent his Son into the world to change us.
We are God’s children now.(1 Jn 3:2) Adopted as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ. (Ep 1:5) God’s family living in this world.
Sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy. (1 Cor 1:2). Each made glorious in the sight of the LORD. (Is 49:5)
God is our strength! God’s strength
allows us to live by faith in the “everyday” ordinary. In living out
faith, we reflect God’s glory to all
around us.
It is up to us. Do not restrain
your lips. (Ps 40:10) All of God’s children, TESTIFY. Announce justice. Live a
life of faith. Make it our culture. (Ps 40:10)
Merge the “everyday” with
the mystery of Christ. Weave into the world an ordinary that is a culture of
faith. Be the light that allows the mystery of Christ to penetrate deeply into the
“everyday” ordinary of this world. (Is 49:6)
As believers and people of
faith make the sacredness of prayer, praise, and worship a priority. Glorify and
praise the Lord God as your normal. Our Ordinary
Time is being the Lord’s witness in “everyday” ordinary until all things are
finally caught up in Christ.
We reflect God’s glory to all
around us by what we say and what we do.
Be good, be holy, and witness
the good news of Jesus Christ by the way you live your life and love for one
another. This is what our faith is all about!
Praise be Jesus Christ forever and ever. Amen
