We now find ourselves in between two major events on the Liturgical Calendar, Advent and Lent. This time which began on the Sunday after the Lords Baptism is known as Ordinary Time. During these weeks leading up to Lent, there is no call for us to be vigil or more prayerful. There are no specific invitations to celebrate in grand fashion as we do at Christmas and Easter. However, we dont have to let it be merely ordinary for our students or us.
Here are 7 ways to make Ordinary Time extraordinary!
1. Focus on prayer.
Focus on prayer. Make prayer a daily routine. There are a myriad of prayer books available to help with this. Here is just one. Perhaps the best prayer to focus on is the rosary. Praying the rosary daily can have a profound effect on your life as you walk through the life of Jesus and Mary through each of the Mysteries. Pray the rosary as a family or classroom utilizing the Brother Francis Rosary resources available on CatholicBrain.
2. Read up on the lives of the Saints.
Read up on the lives of the Saints. You think you have daily challenges you are not alone! For centuries people have faced and overcome adversity through a deep faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Use the lessons of the saints to face the daily challenges in your own life. CatholicBrain offers daily Saint videos to help learn about these faith-filled witnesses.
3. Try out Adoration.
Many parishes or deaneries have a dedicated adoration chapel. For those that dont, you can always visit your parish and sit with Christ present in the Eucharist in the tabernacle. Either option is suitable and taking time out of your schedule to spend it in the presence of the Lord will reap great benefits in your life.
4. Be intentional with reading Scripture.
If you find you cannot focus enough to carve time out of your schedule to read the Bible, there are ways to be more intentional about it. There are a ton of read the Bible in a Year plans out there. By spending as little as 20 minutes a day reading scripture one can easily cover the enter bible in a year.
5. Read spiritual books.
The Catholic market is filled with many books on all aspects of the faith. One can read on different topics from the Eucharist to Church history. There are books on conversion stories, the lives of the saints, the rosary, and much, much, more. We have so much to learn through books that one can never possibly learn it all in a lifetime. Here is a great resource for finding the book that is right for you.
6. Turn ordinary tasks into times of prayer.
Many people find the mundane tasks of life to be chores they would rather not do. Seriously, would you rather be folding laundry or out enjoying a stroll through the park? We can take these less than appealing tasks and turn them into times of prayer. One idea is to offer up these tasks for the souls in purgatory. Just imagine the souls who enter heaven as you do the dishes, fold the laundry, or sweep the floors.
7. Start a morning ritual.
Father Larry Richards famously states, No Bible no breakfast, no Bible no bed. Start each day off right with time reading the Bible. Pray a Morning Offering and offer the day ahead to Jesus. Start the day off on the right foot, and it will be so much more rewarding.
