Time after Pentecost: The church season after Easter is sometimes called “Ordinary Time” because of the numbering (ordinals) of the Sunday. It includes summer and fall, with themes of growth, celebration in community, and the renewal of faith and discipleship in the life and teachings of Jesus.
Sunday, July 27: Persistence in prayer is encouraged by Jesus and has the attention of God. The life of God’s people is to be rooted and built up in Christ Jesus, to be nurtured with prayer. God receives and answers prayer and so strengthens God’s own. “When I called, you answered me; you increased my strength within me.”