SOMETHING NEW TO OUR “LOOK”

Beginning with the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 3) we will provide the readings
(both Proclamation and Lectionary Formats) in PDF-print ready formats.

Click on the Sunday you’re interested in and then click on the format you are interested in.
The complete readings for the Sunday, in your selected format, will then appear.

A reference to a commentary from America Magazine (if available) will also be accessible.
Click on the link and that particular “The Word” article will appear.
* * * * *

“Ordinary Time” is not the kind of “ordinary” we speak of in our everyday conversing.  It refers to the numeric “order” (ordinal) of the Sundays that make up the weeks of the year between Special Seasons.   The complete sequence for Ordinary Time starts with the Sunday after the Epiphany and concludes with the Feast of Christ the King (in late November).  It is interrupted by Lent, Easter and Pentecost.

During Ordinary Time the readings vary from Sunday to Sunday and may appear a bit disconnected (although the Gospel readings and several Pauline readings are much more sequential in content).

The Gospel passages describe Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem where he will face torture and execution. His challenge to the authorities at that time is a very strong appeal to freedom from oppression whether by political, economic, social, or religious power.  He offers “freedom” to those who are willing to follow His teachings – the freedom of maturity as a complete human being.  For us in the early 21^st Century, the overall emphasis of the season is on the mission of the church, and we its members, in the world.

For Lectors, the passages challenge us to answer our calling to minister to our fellow pilgrims.  We witness to our listeners what our belief, understanding, and meaning the Word in these passages has for us.  In addition to our proclamation skills we are challenged to witness to our fellow-pilgrims in our very lives.

Finally, the liturgical color of this season is a dark green, representing life and new growth. Consequently, we’ll find that the readings we proclaim challenge us to grow as witnesses of our Catholic Christian faith.  For more information on this season read a brief article on the topic at this website: www.crivoice.org/cyordinary.html.

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