The Easter season drew to a close yesterday on the great Solemnity of Pentecost. The Easter candle was snuffed out at the end of Mass to symbolize the shift in the liturgical year. It was somewhat sad to experience that visual sign and then hear the double alleluia at the dismissal reminding us that "the 50-day party is over." It is back to Ordinary Time today.
Do these liturgical seasons really impact the way we live our Christian lives? Are we any different today than we were back on Ash Wednesday, March 6? Did we grow in our relationship with the Lord during the journey of Lent and through the season of Easter? Did the fifty days of Easter pass us by without hardly a notice?
The culture has influenced society greatly through the years. Sometimes I think we are all paddling in the same direction just because it is easier than going against the flow. However, we as Christians, are called to be counter-cultural at times. Are we willing to stand strong when the current is against us?
My dear readers, even Ordinary Time in the Church is not ordinary. We continue to celebrate the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary which brought us redemption. What a tremendous blessing it is for us to gather each week to pray and worship as a community of believers!
It is no secret that Mass attendance declines during the summer months. While I hope you find great refreshment during these days of fun in the sun, please continue to participate fully in the life of the Church. Our relationship with God must remain a priority at all times.
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Side Note:
Although Pentecost did not end the way St. Louis Blues fans had hoped, there is still a chance that Wednesday night will bring great rejoicing. For the flood ravaged state of Missouri, I hope you have a Stanley Cup to celebrate in the midst of so much devastation in the area.
Do these liturgical seasons really impact the way we live our Christian lives? Are we any different today than we were back on Ash Wednesday, March 6? Did we grow in our relationship with the Lord during the journey of Lent and through the season of Easter? Did the fifty days of Easter pass us by without hardly a notice?
The culture has influenced society greatly through the years. Sometimes I think we are all paddling in the same direction just because it is easier than going against the flow. However, we as Christians, are called to be counter-cultural at times. Are we willing to stand strong when the current is against us?
My dear readers, even Ordinary Time in the Church is not ordinary. We continue to celebrate the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary which brought us redemption. What a tremendous blessing it is for us to gather each week to pray and worship as a community of believers!
It is no secret that Mass attendance declines during the summer months. While I hope you find great refreshment during these days of fun in the sun, please continue to participate fully in the life of the Church. Our relationship with God must remain a priority at all times.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Side Note:
Although Pentecost did not end the way St. Louis Blues fans had hoped, there is still a chance that Wednesday night will bring great rejoicing. For the flood ravaged state of Missouri, I hope you have a Stanley Cup to celebrate in the midst of so much devastation in the area.
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