We have just begun Ordinary Time. I am quite sure that most readers are familiar with the concept of a “Liturgical Calendar.” We have ordinary time, Advent, Lent and a myriad of festival times (ie. Easter, Christmas, feast days and “solemnities”—which is just a fancy name for a really significant feast day.
Merry Christmas, again—or I should say, “still.” It is still Christmas until Jan.12 with the Baptism of the Lord. We spent nearly four weeks preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus, Our Savior. This was necessary so that we could be prepared to love Him more completely. We can give ourselves most completely when we are free from anything holding us back. I certainly find it necessary to detach myself from the things that distract me or cause me to withhold my heart from God.
We are so blessed to live in a prosperous country. Many of us don’t worry about our next meal or how we are going to pay the power bill. This physical plentifulness, however, also presents a real spiritual danger for us. Being in a land of plenty can lead us to spiritual laziness.
I played football, coached football and have also spent about a decade as a broadcaster for McGill-Toolen Catholic High School football games on Archangel Radio.