June 29, 2003

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul although it is primarily a Sunday. The apostles Peter and Paul are the great witnesses in the Western Church to Christ and to his death and resurrection.

We could take some time to think back on the liturgical celebrations the past few weeks:

  • Ascension of the Lord
  • Pentecost Sunday
  • Trinity Sunday -Children Receive 1st Holy Communion
  • Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

 

Here are some thoughts for the summer time.

To name a person is the first privilege and duty of a parent.  It is really a participating in the extension of the creative power of God.  If we extend the naming idea to our actions then we are called to name what we are doing and more often what is happening to us.

For many of us the summer has at least activities that are somewhat less structured – or free time for Holidays (vacations).  Sometimes people want to describe what they want to do during this time as simply nothing. Just relax and perhaps lay out of doors –possibly reading or even snoozing.

Sometimes we may get caught up in some activity that seems lacking in much intelligent thought – sometimes waiting in line in the store or in a traffic jam or what ever we may find without much meaning for us.  Perhaps we can begin by naming what we are doing – spending life time moments that need to be put in a larger context to get meaning.

Perhaps we could start by asking ourselves what God is doing to us by this situation we are in either because we chose it or it simply happens to us.

I chose to write about this topic now since we may have more unstructured time on our hands during the summer.

Step back and see what has and is happening in your life. The many forces in the world that compete are always a challenge for us to find meaning. We can also reflect on how our prayer life centered in our parish worship has been directing our lives.  

Remember, we don’t just go to church on Sunday (remember –be on time and also financially support the parish). God is always directing us through the people and events of our life. When we are honest with our selves and God we:

1.      name what is happening

2.      look for some meaning

3.      see how god is directing us through the happening

May we be blessed in all our summer activities and be alert enough to see how God is speaking to us

 

Fr. Bruce