Ordinary Time. After the Advent and Christmas seasons we spend the next few weeks leading up to Lent in Ordinary Time. Does anyone remember Sexagesima Sunday? The scripture readings in ordinary time are done as a lectio continua, going through the books of the Bible chapter by chapter. The gospel during these days is from St. Mark, probably the first one written though it is listed second in current arrangement of the four gospels. So starting in chapter one we hear the initial proclamation of Jesus: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” This is the time, Jesus says. We have, unfortunately, lost some of the sense of urgency underlying his pronouncement.
