Catholic Journal

Ordinary Time

We are now in Ordinary Time when the Church celebrates the life of Christ. We are in between the seasons of Christmas and Lent. This year the ordinary time between these two great liturgical seasons is long—approximately eight weeks. It is tempting to fall into complacency during this time. After all, it’s ordinary, usual, and nothing really special. Yet the Church calls us to reflect upon what Ordinary Time means for us spiritually.

For some, it is an opportunity to get our spiritual house in order—a kind of winter cleansing of body and soul. It can be a time for getting rid of those possessions, attitudes or behaviors that prevent us from fully encountering God. For others it may be a time to begin a new spiritual project—engaging in bible study, recommitting oneself to deepening one’s prayer life. It may also be a time for reconnecting with friends or relatives with whom we have lost contact. Whatever we do during this ordinary time above all we should be growing  in holiness and in our relationship with God.

May this ordinary time not be wasted or ignored, but may it help us to become the person whom God wants us to be.

Msgr John Kasza

REVEREND MONSIGNOR JOHN KASZA was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1993. He holds a B.A. in History from Wayne State University, Detroit and an Master of Divinity from Sacred Heart Major Seminary. He earned his doctorate in Sacramental Theology from the Pontifical Athenaeum Sant’Anselmo in Rome in 1999. Msgr. Kasza has served as an assistant professor of sacramental theology, liturgy and homiletics at Sacred Heart Major Seminary and has also taught at the Liturgical Institute at St. Mary of the Lake University in Mundelein, Illinois. He most recently served as Secretary to both Adam Cardinal Maida and Archbishop Allen Vigneron and was Vice Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Detroit. In July of 2009, Msgr. Kasza became the Academic Dean at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan. Monsignor is currently pastor of St.Therese of Lisieux parish in Shelby Township, Michigan and has authored several articles. His book, Understanding Sacramental Healing: Anointing and Viaticum, is available through Amazon.