All So Ordinary.

11^th Sunday Ordinary Time; Matthew 9:36—10:8

send laborers out to gather the harvest.

In the Celtic tradition, the time between the first week of Advent (early December-ish), through Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter and Pentecost (late May-ish), the Gospel stories focus on the life of Jesus. The remainder of the year (summer and fall) is, of course, known as Ordinary Time. During this period, the Gospels focus on our life in Christ. Why that is considered “Ordinary” is beyond me. But I digress.

It can be fun, I think, to look at what I consider “ordinary.” For example, to me, working in the yard every day in the summer, regardless of the temperature, is an ordinary task. I enjoy it. I put on my headphones, put on some good tunes, and go after those weeds in pure bliss. No big deal. But I have a good friend who enjoys the “condo life.” No mowing, weeding, fertilizing, or snow shoveling. He looks at me, and thinks I’m bonkers. Of course, I look at him and think, “Aren’t you bored?!”

Over the next several months, we are going to look a bit deeper at what Jesus thinks is ordinary. The amazing thing is that those things Jesus would consider ordinary are the very things that the political and religious leaders of his day, and many political leaders today, would consider most un-ordinary.

These are nothing you and I have not heard before. We are to love all, without exception. We are to show mercy to the downtrodden and marginalized. We are to care for the lonely, hungry and alone. And as simple as that may sound, I know from experience, that it can be very difficult indeed.

Too often, I find myself too busy to slow down enough to see the broken person in front of me. Sometimes, it can be as simple as responding to a text from a friend. It can be as easy as buying lunch for someone. It can be as effortless as giving that person on the corner a dollar or two. When Jesus sent out his disciples, he told them, “You received freely: now freely give.” (Mt 10:8) It’s not the heroic acts that can make a difference; they’re the simple ones.

Everything I have is a gift. I have to stop every once and a while to remember that. Having listened to several stories of the unhoused, I realize how easily that could have been me. Instead, I have a big yard that I love to tend to as an ordinary, everyday, event. So I do not take for granted that which I have been given. I have all I want, and much more than I need. And yet, I consider it all so ordinary.

What I need to think about is just how fortunate I have been, even in the times of my lowest of lows. I am very grateful. I have a roof over my head, and a pillow to sleep on. I have things I can share. I have time I should share. I have abilities that I am compelled to share. I look at them and see ordinary things. God looks at them and sees gifts given freely that should be shared freely. As if it were an ordinary thing.

I realize that I am one of the laborers that Jesus has summoned. Jesus is not looking for heroic acts. He seeks only the ordinary. That’s good. Because I’m as ordinary as they come.

Every Day.

© 2026 by Timothy J. Doppel

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