Extraordinary Times

In the Catholic Church the time after Epiphany to Ash Wednesday is called Ordinary Time. That seems to be a misnomer in our world today. In some parts of the country, there have been record snow storms, tornados and hurricanes. 

In the political sphere, there have been big divisive issues such as the Jan. 6 insurrection, and voting and filibuster bills that are polarizing groups in Congress. In the Church Pope Francis’ Synodality gatherings around the world are holding difficult discussions about how to come together as communities of mercy and love.  And in the health care area, there are different views about the treatment of Covid and its variants. 

This is anything but ordinary time. It seems like we are living in extraordinary times of discord and hate. Just as in families everyone does not agree, so also in these wider realms, there are opposing viewpoints.  Divisiveness seems to be the agenda for this time in history. Upheavals are constantly on the horizon, and ordinary time seems to have disappeared altogether. There is always something happening to jar us out of our comfort zones. 

Yet God always gives us the grace to meet these challenges if we seek his guidance. “My grace is sufficient for you,” (2 Corinthians 12:9) Jesus reminds us. We need to let God lead us through these extraordinarily turbulent times. God wants only our good.  If we hang onto this assurance, we will be able to reach a certain degree of understanding and peace. 

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