My Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
The days of summer are upon us. Summer for many signifies a time of rest, a time for family gatherings, a time to enjoy special moments. A particular scene or the smell of freshly cut grass or the moistness of the air can bring about a smile.
Jesus tells us that as Christians, we are called to sow the Word of God through, with and in Him, no matter the season. Our rest is eternal life; and our charge is to gather those with whom we live and work with our sight always focused on God; our ears open to hear His loving call to follow Him. This, Jesus says, is an invitation that is not for just a day or an hour. This invitation is for all our days, so that those who come after us will also know God.
When we think about summertime in this way, we may approach what we do differently. Instead of making ourselves the focus, “what are we going to do today?,” make God the focus, “what are we going to do for God today?” Of course, your summer may have already been planned. There are sports in which to participate, there is the family vacation, there may be some schoolwork which has to be completed before the start of school in the fall.
Keep God as the focus of all things. If you participate in sports or as a spectator, be of goodwill to your teammates, even if not a winner. Be kind to your opponent so that God’s light shines upon all who participate. When you begin your family vacation, begin it with a prayer. Praying the Liturgy of the Hours, particularly Morning and Evening Prayer, will help you offer each day to God and recollect how you served God throughout the day. Make a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe, one of the Holy Father’s minor basilicas, located right here in the Diocese of Orlando. There, you will find the newly opened Gospel Gardens, 14 sculptures with life-size representations of Jesus on the day of His Crucifixion. These sculptures create a visual experience to understand Christ and the Gospels more deeply.
Participate in the celebration of Mass, even if it means missing a planned tour. Take time for the Sacraments, the Sacrament of Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. When using social media, be aware of the words you use to speak to friends so that you are always affirming, never hurting one another. Visit the website of Catholic Charities of Central Florida for information about how to help the poor and marginalized. Your local parish may have a list of items needed for its food bank.
While you may need to study for the school year, think of all time as God’s school year. There are many resources available to keep you afresh in the knowledge of God. San Pedro Spiritual Development Center offers camps and retreats for people of all ages.
Pray the Consecration Prayer as we consecrated the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Know His tender mercy and bring that mercy forth to all God’s people. Set aside a time each day to pray for those who are harmed by natural disasters. Pray for our clergy and religious women who are imitators of Christ. Pray for our retired priests, especially Father Richard Walsh, who celebrated 58 years of Ordination to the Priesthood and recently retired after 41 years serving as pastor of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, Winter Park. Father Walsh is a humble sower of God’s Word, as he serves the Lord. Pray for the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. Pray for those living that they will know the joy of salvation.
Pope Leo XIV summed up what our summer should contain: “Only the love of God can provide us with true and perfect joy.” No matter the day, the hour, the minute, all time is God’s time. We are given the marvelous gift of knowing, loving and serving God. May our time open eyes and ears that His seed falls on good ground and flourishes throughout the earth, now and forever.