Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

With Pentecost yesterday, we have returned to the season of Ordinary Time. This liturgical season is not called “ordinary” because it is boring, but because it counts the time by number. With five weeks of Ordinary Time between Christmas and Lent, we are now on the sixth week of Ordinary Time. Throughout the summer months and into the autumn until Advent begins again, we will remain in Ordinary Time. It is a long stretch of time to count by the number of weeks. Sometimes we might wish for more exciting times – the celebrations of Easter, the joyful hope of Advent, the beauty of Christmas… perhaps even the fasting of Lent! It seems part of the natural human condition to want that which is exciting. This is indicated in today’s gospel from Mark where we hear that the Pharisees want a sign. Jesus seems to have no patience for this, as he leaves them, goes into a boat, and onto the other shore.

The Christian faith is not simply about excitement or signs. Admittedly, there are those extraordinary times that we ought to appreciate and enjoy. But when the dust settles, we are left with everyday Christian life. And what does that entail?

With the Easter season over, we begin the Epistle of St. James for our first readings at daily Mass. This inspiring letter has been a source of great controversy since the time of the Reformation. Today’s passage from the beginning of the letter gives some indication as to what the Christian life entails. Perseverance, for one thing! James suggests that Christians should rejoice in their trials, knowing that these tests produce perseverance. Perseverance is a good thing to keep in mind as we begin this long stretch of Ordinary Time. To some, it may not seem to be a cheerful thought; maybe we associate perseverance simply with tasks we dislike. In such a case, perseverance seems to take extraordinary will power and can be emotionally and physically draining.

This, however, is not the perseverance of which James writes. The primary difference is that Christians are instructed to seek God’s guidance; in the case of wisdom, James is clear that this generous God will give what is needed. A secondary difference is that the perseverance of Christians is something that we do together. It is not meant to be a case of individual willpower, but a case of teamwork. With the help of our brothers and sisters, and with the grace of God, we can persevere in the everyday Christian life. Today, reflect on how you can help those around you to grow in holiness. Then pray that God will give you the help that you need to do this!

- Maria Morrow