Deacon’s Corner
Ordinary Time??? As we move into July and right into the heat of summer, liturgically we wear green vestments as we celebrate the 13th through 17th weeks of Ordinary Time. July is not part of our major liturgical seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter when our focus is on spiritual disciplines and growth as we prepare for a significant event in the Life of Christ.
Holy Mother Church does not give us the summer off from our disciplines in the faith. We do not get a vacation from our need and obligation of receiving the Sacraments! The liturgical season of Ordinary Time is a continuation of time for spiritual disciplines.
In the natural order after the seed is planted, the farmers wait for the gift of vital spring and summer rains that affect crop growth, soil health, and farming operations. Just as adequate rainfall is necessary for the farmers to have a plentiful harvest, so is an adequate and disciplined prayer life necessary for our ongoing spiritual growth, that helps us move closer to God!
Looking at the liturgical calendar for July, we have multiple Feast Days and Memorials that are not part of the ‘Ordinary’! These days give us an opportunity to direct our focus on some of our saints. It gives us the opportunity to read and obtain additional knowledge about them.
With a quick online search, we can find many articles for each saint that can enlighten our minds. We often glean “pearls of wisdom” on how to model and live saintly lives that are more pleasing to God. We can turn to our saints to learn how they dealt with the many challenges and difficulties of life. Often, we develop a love and devotion to saints as we get to know and understand them.
Challenge yourself to get to know a little about the following saints! I am sure you will find that their lives were not ordinary.
July 3rd — Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle
July 11th — Memorial of Saint Benedict, Abbot
July 14th — Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin
July 15th — Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
July 22nd — Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene
July 25th — Feast of Saint James, Apostle
July 26th — Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
July 29th — Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus
July 31st — Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest
Many Blessings to you All!
See you at the next Mass!
Dcn Matt