“Ordinary time” – that’s the churchy name for the long summer months after Trinity Sunday (7th June this year). Many people are in fact currently longing for “ordinary time”, to return to normal, to be freed from remaining restrictions and, especially to be able to socialize again with family and friends. On the other hand, many are equally anxious not to put themselves or others at risk by a premature return to social contact while the Covid 19 virus remains a threat.
And of course the time is never really ordinary. God calls us at all times not to the normal, but to the extraordinary – to extraordinary love, to extraordinary joy and to extraordinary service. We are called to imitate Jesus who left normal life behind to give himself to others.
So, though we would like to get back to the way things were, we probably never will. As churches we will have to find new ways to do things for the foreseeable future, as well as just for the lockdown. Our buildings will have to be cleaner, safer and adapted to new requirements before we can re-open them. We will want to remain more aware of those who cannot or do not want to come to the buildings at all. We must prepare for the new, the extraordinary and for what God will be doing to turn this time to good.
“Ordinary time”? I don’t think so!
Revd Eleanor Goodison
This prayer was part of the Diocese of Southwark’s resources for Thy Kingdom Come – the global prayer initiative between Ascension and Pentecost. It seems to sum things up:
With our hearts full of anxiety for the safety of the world,
we cry to you, Lord, for:
protection for the healthy,
courage for the frightened,
consolation for the bereaved,
wisdom for the doctors,
strength for the carers,
good news for the poor,
and, in the goodness of your mercy, an end to the virus.
Amen.
All the best
Eleanor
Revd Eleanor Goodison
Associate Priest, Hoxne Benefice
Tel: 07876 143579