The Ordinary is Not So Ordinary – January 12, 2017

Andy Julo, the young artist who does so much beautiful work for the art & environment of our church, was in this week – taking down Christmas.  The trees, the greenery, the drapery, most of the poinsettias are gone.  The crèche crew is dismantling the cave and putting the figures of Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, and all the rest back in storage.  The Christmas season is over and Ordinary Time is here.
 
We call it Ordinary Time – these weeks between Christmas and Lent (and again the time between Easter and Advent)— because we count them off with ordinal numbers.  This Sunday is the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time and we’ll hear the story of two of the disciples of John encountering Jesus and Jesus inviting them to spend time with him. Next week, we hear the story of another encounter and another invitation, “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.” 
 
There is nothing ordinary about encounter and invitation.  And there is nothing ordinary about these days and weeks and months.  During these Sundays we hear the stories of Jesus calling men and women to follow him and stories of Jesus working miracles, healing, preaching and teaching. We hear stories of the Kingdom that isn’t like any kingdom on earth.  It’s challenging.  And comforting.  And hopeful.
 
Pope Francis talks a lot about encounter – our encounter with God and our encounter with one another, especially our encounter with the poor and with those with whom we disagree.  The Jesuits, too, are talking a lot about encounter.  And reconciliation.  Reconciliation with God, with one another, and with creation.
 
To encounter means to meet one another with open eyes, an open heart, an open mind.  Reconciliation requires honesty and humility.
 
And it all starts NOW.  In this moment.  At this place.  With these people. 
 
Whatever, wherever our “now” is – that’s where God is and that is where God is going to work in our lives.

Stop.  Take a breath.  Take another breath.  Where are your feet planted?  What do your eyes see?  What are you thinking? and feeling? and dreading? and hoping?  This is your “now.”
 
French Jesuit and mystic Jean-Pierre de Caussade (1675-1751) wrote of “the sacrament of the present moment”.  Our work is to “be here, be now, be still” long enough to receive that grace so God can open our eyes, open our hearts, open our minds and bless us with the honesty and humility to do the work of really living in love.
 
Liturgical, communal prayer in a beautifully decorated church with a community of fellow seekers helps us to heal and grow into people of encounter and reconciliation.  So does private, contemplative prayer – be it sitting on a cushion, kneeling in an empty church, or taking a walk in the January cold.  May we each find our way to live extraordinary lives of love during this Ordinary Time.