May the ordinary be extraordinary

We are living through the liturgical period after Pentecost. For many, this is a time to rest and dedicate themselves to relationships and their family; a time in which every habit keeps us moving towards the goal.

Liturgically speaking, we are living in the “ordinary time”, which describes the fact that in these weeks there has not been a particular event of the Christological mystery that has been celebrated. Instead, we are taken by the hand to follow Jesus along the roads of Galilee.

Let us not be misled by this “ordinariness” as if it were inferior to what we consider major liturgical seasons; for example, Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter.

Rather, this is the time of discipleship (Sunday, July 21); a time to meet Jesus around the table as in the multiplication of the loaves and fishes (Sunday, July 28); it is the time when we ask ourselves who Jesus is and our question is answered that he is the bread of life (Sunday, August 4). However, it is also the time of mission (Sunday, July 14), a time when we are called to get involved and proclaim the Good News, to treasure what we have received as we make our journey of faith and to reflect upon that light which illuminates every creature so that those around us may feel like beloved sons and daughters of God.

We experience this time accompanied in particular by the intercession of two women: Mary, whose Assumption we celebrate on August 15, and Saint Helena – the mother of Constantine –, whom we celebrate on August 18. Saint Helena is one of the patrons of the Order and to whom we owe the construction of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.

Life in the Holy Land continues to be deeply troubled and the routine nature of the news might make us lose sight of the great suffering of these peoples. May our attention always be vigilant and our gaze turned towards the Land of Jesus, while as Knights and Dames we continue to support the communities that are facing dark times there through our prayer, our offerings, and our closeness.

Thus, ordinary time will be an occasion for extraordinariness.

Fernando Cardinal Filoni

(July 2024)