Dear Friends,
Since
Advent, I have concentrated almost exclusively on the meaning of the liturgical
feasts and seasons in this weekly blog. These cover the soul-touching times in
Jesus’ life, and we are the better for immersing ourselves in their richness.
But now that
summer is officially here, let’s shift our focus to the legacy of Jesus, as
perceived in the writings and contemporary experiences of his followers.
Here are
some elements to build into our summer lives or to improve upon.
Have more
family meals this summer than you do during the fall/winter/spring seasons. Agree in your household to leave
cell phones or other electronic devices elsewhere in the house. Say grace that
invites everyone around the table to participate. Talk with one another about
the day, new learnings, special moments. Initially, these meals may be a
challenge, but they are worth it for the family’s sake and for our faith. Family
meals are a prelude to/are practice for Eucharist when the whole community
comes together to share the presence of God in Word and Sacrament.
Learn to
look around you when you are out and about. Who is walking by? What is growing in the garden you
pass? What sounds are in the air? Whom have we talked with today or whom have
we ignored and why? Pope Francis clusters these ideas for consciousness under
the heading of “culture of encounter.” When we really develop this culture in
our lives, “no one is discarded or pigeonholed, but all are sought out because
all are needed to reveal God’s face…The Holy Spirit impels us to go out from
ourselves, from all that hems us in, from all the things we cling to…Blessed
are they who believe and have the courage to foster encounter and communion.” (Pope
Francis, Homily, May 31, 2019)
Weave
into your day a dollop of prayer. Believers erroneously think we need always to pray in
paragraphs or designated formal prayers. Trying brief, one-liners directed frequently
to God-around-us and God-within-us also work. When we are walking toward our golf
ball in the rough on the golf course, when there is a lull in conversation on
the beach, when we are waiting in line at the ice cream shop, slip in a word to
God.
Thank you, God, for this moment.
Awaken me to Your presence, O Lord.
Teach me Your ways, O God.
Bless everyone in this line, Lord.
And more. Make up your own prayer or repeat and savor all week-long a phrase you heard at Mass last weekend.
Finally, in
this simple but profound to-do list, allow yourself daily summer silence
when God can cradle you close and speak to your heart. Quiet your senses for a
few moments early in the day or at night before sleep descends. Let go of the
thoughts that scurry around your mind like so many mice. “Be still and know
that I am God.” (Psalm 46.10)
Like a
summer tan, work at putting God in the center of life in your own unique way.
~ Sister
Joan Sobala
