We are entering upon the green season, and it’s a long one.  No, I don’t mean the all-too-short season in Western New York between the last frost in April (or May) and the first one in September.  I mean we are entering the liturgical season in which green stoles and paraments abound.  Let’s hear it for Ordinary Time!

Ordinary time is not so named because it isn’t special.  It gets its name, like so many churchy things, from Latin; in this case, from the word “ordinalis,” which means numbered.  Ordinary time makes up the big chunk of the year between Pentecost and Advent and the sliver between Epiphany and Lent.  The green seasons don’t relate directly to any of the big celebrations of the church year like Christmas or Easter, and so we number them to keep track. 

Growing up as a Methodist, I learned to call this season “Kingdomtide.”  That designation always appealed to me.  The green season should remind us of the growth of the Reign of God that takes place by the Spirit at work in the people of God.  It’s the season of seeds that grow into mustard trees and yeast that spreads through a bakery-load of bread dough. 

Ordinary time is the historical era in which we live as God’s people – between the coming of Christ and the consummation of all things.  This green season is a season of hope.  This is the season of bearing witness to the dignity of all creation and all God’s people.  This is the season of laboring in the vineyard to bring forth the fruit of justice.  This is the season in which we sow seeds of love, trusting in a harvest of perfect unity and peace by God’s grace.

This isn’t a season after Pentecost as though the age of the Spirit was over; it’s a season in which the winds of Pentecost blow through us and direct us toward a future God has in store for us.  It’s a season for us ordinary folks to be prophets and pilgrims. 

This time of green leaves and green vestments is no ordinary time.  It is the time for flourishing because the power of God is working in us.

Prayer:  God of Life, thank you for continuing to be at work within me, to bring me to life and to share my life in service of your Kingdom.  Amen.