It is currently Ordinary Time, the part of the Christian liturgical calendar I must admit I often find dull or boring. But Amy Peeler has done an amazing job explaining the beauty of this season of green in this devotional (though the series editor does not think the books in this series are devotionals, but rather, "are theological and spiritual reflections"). Ordinary Time is the season of growth, "the time in which the good of God's creation grows into greater maturity in Christ." (p 26) At the same time, the length of the season instils patience and hope – "Just as it takes time for plants to grow and change, God's work on a corrupted and willful creation takes a long time. It takes patience to yield as God molds us more fully into the image of Christ." (p 28)

Peeler next meditates on the Feast of the Visitation (31 May), which falls in the middle of Ordinary Time, where the Church remembers Mary's visit to Elizabeth in Luke 1:39-56 and the Magnificat. Peeler reflects on how "By exalting the humble and dismantling pride by the revelation of Jesus Christ, God is magnificent" (p 39), and how "something ordinary, the ordinariness of women talking, transforms into something extraordinary because they are talking about God's work in Jesus Christ." (p 40)

Given that Ordinary Time begins with Trinity Sunday and the weeks of the season are referred to as 'X weeks after Trinity' (at least, in the Anglican, Methodist, and Lutheran liturgical calendar; I think Roman Catholics count Ordinary Time differently), Peeler next reflects on the Trinity. She observes how "Ordinary Time repeatedly gives worshippers opportunity not only to learn about and mentally assent to, but also to confess the triunity of God" (p 47), from joining the cherubim and seraphim's "Holy, Holy, Holy" to acknowledging that it is only by God's triune power that we can "continually be given to good works" and "love what [God] command[s]" (collects for the 17th and 14th Sunday after Trinity), and much more that I am unable to summarise here without diminishing the beauty of Peeler's thought and prose.

Peeler also touches on the liturgy of the Lord's Supper, remembering that Christ gives Himself as a gift in the Eucharist (pp 57-60) and, as she observes the breaking of the host – mourning the division of the Church as an effect of sin, yet such sin and death is defeated through Christ's death (pp 68-71). As one goes forward to receive the Eucharist, kneeling before the cross, they go "Just As I Am" – honest of their need for God and into God's grace and open arms (pp 71-74).

The readings in Ordinary Time include the calling and family of Abraham, and Peeler comments on these passages as she sees how God meeting Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael, and Isaac "in the mundane events of life" similarly show how "God meets all of us, both subtly and shockingly, and asks for our faith." (p 81) She traces Abraham's call (Gen 12), his hospitality of God (Gen 18), God's promise to him and Sarah, Sarah's driving of Hagar and Ishmael out and God's calling and seeing them (Gen 21), and the binding of Isaac (Gen 22). As she comments on the narratives, she points to God's faithfulness, His promise, and the right response of gratitude – both for the sign in Abraham's life, "previewed in Genesis", and the reality, "accomplished in Christ" (p 127).

Peeler concludes where Ordinary Time concludes – Christ the King. As Ordinary Time draws to a close, the focus shifts from the here and now to the future, as the Church proclaims Christ's sceptre and throne with triumphant hymns. Against the vitriol of the world, from wars to politics and division, the Church proclaims Christ as the true King, both "King of glory now" and the hope that some day, "all wreaths of empire [will] meet upon his brow." (p 133) And with that, we move into Advent – a season of hope and confession that Christ has conquered, amidst the groaning and the waiting (p 134).

A beautiful, hopeful read. Highly recommended.