For reflection and sharing:
From "Ho, ho, ho!" -- to "Ho hum"
After the twelve days of Christmas
we enter into ordinary time.
But who wants ordinary?
Step One: Story webbing
Make a spider-like diagram that lists your associations with the word "ordinary" Any one entry may take on a life of its own, like a runner on a spider plant.
Step Two: Ask questions
A. What is appealing and unappealing about the word "ordinary" and its associations?
B. What is it like to move from the commotion and the "Ho, ho, ho!" of Christmas to the "ho, hum" of ordinary life? What do you miss? What do you gain? What strategies help?
C. What are the spiritual pluses and minuses of "ordinary time" for you?
C. How is God present in the ordinary? What part does God play in everyday life?
Step Three: Learning
The Church's understanding of ordinary time is rooted in the word ordinal, meaning, "counted". It is also related to the word order, meaning arranged, like the beginning fibers on a loom, the stitches in a knitted garment or the details of a blueprint. During ordinary time we carry forward God's blessings from the Advent and Christmas season. We re-arrange ourselves like a picture that is repositioned after Christmas decorations have been taken down.
Step Four: Scripture
Jesus used many ordinary things to heal and bless people: a simple touch, or the waters of a pool, or the hem of his cloak, or a paste made of mud, or a herd of pigs. God is concerned about the details of our lives and wants an intimate relationship with each of us.
Read Psalm 139 and listen for God's ordinary and extraordinary love.
