Why Ordinary Time Isn’t So Ordinary

CWM
Jan 13
2 min read

When you hear Ordinary Time, what comes to mind? For many Catholics, it might sound like the “in-between season”, nothing as joyful as Christmas or as powerful as Easter. Maybe even a little… boring. But here’s the truth: Ordinary Time is anything but ordinary!

This season, marked by the green vestments we see at Mass, is one of the richest times of the year for our spiritual growth. Why? Because it’s in the ordinary days of life that we truly learn how to live as disciples of Christ.

What is Ordinary Time for Catholics?

In the Church’s liturgical calendar, Ordinary Time refers to the weeks of the year that aren’t part of a special season like Advent, Christmas, Lent, or Easter. But “ordinary” doesn’t mean unimportant—it comes from the word ordinal, which means “counted.” These are the numbered weeks of the year when we walk with Jesus through His public ministry.

There are two stretches of Ordinary Time:

The first begins after the Christmas season and goes until Lent.
The second begins after Pentecost (the end of the Easter season) and continues until Advent.

The liturgical color for Ordinary Time is green, which represents hope, life, and spiritual growth. During these weeks, the Sunday readings focus on Jesus’ teachings, parables, and miracles—helping us learn how to live as His disciples in everyday life.

So, Ordinary Time isn’t “filler” between the big celebrations; it is the season where we live out our faith day by day, putting into practice everything we’ve celebrated in the special seasons.

Think about it, the major feasts and seasons like Lent and Easter are powerful mountain top moments, but our faith journey is lived mostly in the “everyday.” Ordinary Time reminds us that holiness doesn’t just happen in big dramatic events, it is cultivated in the small, daily choices we make to follow Christ.

It’s during Ordinary Time that we hear the Gospels unfold week after week, walking with Jesus through His miracles, parables, and teachings. We’re invited to listen closely and apply His words to our own lives: at work, at school, in our families, and in our communities.

The green color of this season is no accident either. It symbolizes hope, growth, and new life. Just as plants grow steadily with sunshine and rain, our souls grow in this season of “ordinary” grace.

At Catholic World Mission, we believe Ordinary Time is a perfect reminder that God works powerfully through the everyday. Your generosity, prayers, and support help bring hope to families who are living their ordinary days with extraordinary challenges. Together, we can make those days brighter with faith, dignity, and opportunity.

So next time you hear “Ordinary Time,” remember: it’s not a spiritual waiting room. It’s an invitation to grow, to listen, and to let God’s grace transform the ordinary moments of your life into something truly extraordinary.