Ordinary Time

I felt in need of a great pilgrimage
so I sat still for three
days
and God came
to me.    
—Kabir (c. 1440-1518), “A Great Pilgrimage”

This time last year, I was preparing to go on sabbatical. France, Cornwall, Wales, with a side trip to Hogwarts before heading home. It was certainly a grand adventure and a spiritually rewarding pilgrimage. And part of me deeply longs for that kind of travel and exploration and discovery. Among other things, I want to experience and teach Clive about the delightful diversity of the world and the great goodness of God’s creation. . . .  
    
But another part of me truly values the holy pilgrimages that take place close to home. Sometimes, our greatest pilgrimages take place looking up and down our own street and locating the ways God meets us right here in our daily lives. Where does God meet you? How does God meet you?  
    
The weeks and months following Pentecost are referred to as “Ordinary Time” in the liturgical calendar, but I think that label is really a misnomer because, really, if we are paying any attention at all, very little in our world is ordinary. What we might casually call “ordinary time” or “ordinary things” are actually spectacular miracles that we have unfortunately begun to take for granted. So, how do we change our perspective? What would it take for us to see newness and opportunity all around us? Perhaps looking at something “ordinary” with new eyes and fresh amazement might be the great pilgrimage our soul really needs. What do you think?

See you in church,
Christy