Actually, it's a "defining month," but that's just semantics. So here's what's going to happen...each day for the next month (while I'm on Ob-Gyn), I will be chronicling my adventures (and my misadventures) in this space. I will attempt to be as fair and objective as possible, but I will warn you now: I WILL make editorial comments on both the good and the bad. Also, in case you haven't gathered from the title of the blog (and from my bio), I am a practicing Roman Catholic and I have strong objections to abortion, contraception, and sterilization. Part of the objective in my taking time to do this each day is to give a firsthand account of how these issues arise in daily practice at Magee and to what degree a pro-life student will be affected by them.
All I can say now is that I'm terrified. I don't quite know what to expect...I've heard so many different stories from so many different people, and I have no idea what my experience will be like. I guess I'm hoping for the best, expecting the worst, and praying for the strength to stand strong and not falter. Orientation starts at 8 tomorrow...prayers would be tremendously appreciated, both then and throughout the rotation.
One last thing: I've decided I'm going to make a conscious effort to be as positive as I can, so as a theme song of sorts I've decided on one of my favorite hymns (sorry, this was the best version I could find on YouTube). Peace and God bless!
"And whether our tomorrows / Be filled with good or ill, / We'll triumph through our sorrows / And rise to bless Thee still!"
Showing posts with label Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Church. Show all posts
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
On Ordinary Time
Some brief thoughts on the season of Ordinary Time:
Despite the fact that there's no big holiday associated with it, there's nothing "ordinary" about it. Nor is it merely marking time while we wait for Advent to begin or Easter to arrive or some such. Ordinary Time is a remarkable and beautiful season in its own right, and in some ways it is perhaps the most sublime liturgical season of all.
During Advent and Lent we prepare ourselves for the celebrations of Christmas and Easter. We celebrate the great mysteries that define our faith: the Incarnation, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. We celebrate the greatness of God as it is made manifest in those mysteries. But in Ordinary Time, we celebrate the greatness of God because He is God. We need no other reason.
It is indeed a time to focus on the ordinary, on things to which we would normally not give a second thought. When we begin to contemplate the ordinary, we quickly arrive at the realization that there is nothing "ordinary" about it. The simplest things -- a daisy, a robin, the smile of a person that you see every day -- they are all, in their way, exquisite. They are all ordinary, yet they are all extraordinary. They are all the gifts of God's wisdom and grace. They can all be powerful and awe-inspiring reminders of the majesty and the unbounded love of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
So take a moment today to think about something ordinary. On closer inspection, you may just find that it's not so commonplace after all. For sometimes the most routine things -- like Ordinary Time -- may just be the most extraordinary.
Peace and God bless!
Despite the fact that there's no big holiday associated with it, there's nothing "ordinary" about it. Nor is it merely marking time while we wait for Advent to begin or Easter to arrive or some such. Ordinary Time is a remarkable and beautiful season in its own right, and in some ways it is perhaps the most sublime liturgical season of all.
During Advent and Lent we prepare ourselves for the celebrations of Christmas and Easter. We celebrate the great mysteries that define our faith: the Incarnation, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. We celebrate the greatness of God as it is made manifest in those mysteries. But in Ordinary Time, we celebrate the greatness of God because He is God. We need no other reason.
It is indeed a time to focus on the ordinary, on things to which we would normally not give a second thought. When we begin to contemplate the ordinary, we quickly arrive at the realization that there is nothing "ordinary" about it. The simplest things -- a daisy, a robin, the smile of a person that you see every day -- they are all, in their way, exquisite. They are all ordinary, yet they are all extraordinary. They are all the gifts of God's wisdom and grace. They can all be powerful and awe-inspiring reminders of the majesty and the unbounded love of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
So take a moment today to think about something ordinary. On closer inspection, you may just find that it's not so commonplace after all. For sometimes the most routine things -- like Ordinary Time -- may just be the most extraordinary.
Peace and God bless!
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