Sometimes life gives us good reasons to celebrate just being alive. The beautiful weather we are having is one of those reasons. But even on the nicest day, there can be some bumps on the road that remind us this world is not perfect, and WE are not perfect.
Yet God still loves us and sends us gifts of love every single day, if we only open our eyes to see them. Sometimes we need to get away from our usual workday or school routines in order for our eyes to be opened to God's gifts, including the gift of self.
Many years ago on a Sunday in June at the Basilica of Notre Dame in Indiana, I listened to the bishop there give a beautiful homily at Mass about the importance of a family vacation. He quoted the words Jesus spoke to his disciples in the Gospel of Mark 6:30-34: "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." Jesus didn't spend ALL his time preaching or working miracles. He often took time to get away from the crowds with his closest companions to rest and renew his energy. The bishop went on to describe how a family can grow together in faith and in love when they are able to get away from the routine of life and just enjoy each other's company in a more relaxed setting. In fact, this is something God wants for us--and one of his most precious gifts to us.
Vacations help us connect with our inner lives, and become the complete persons we are called by God to be. Often, our work, which may bring out the best in us as servants of others, can become routine and repetitive, so that it does not allow us to grow in other directions. We can become one dimensional creatures of habit, and our personalities can get stuck in one place. Spiritually, we may grow more slowly, or just stand still.
But vacation time with our families and friends can release our spirit from its small space and set it free. I hope you have a wonderful summer enjoying the beauty of nature, time with people you love and who love you, and a break from the routine of school or work.
Yet God still loves us and sends us gifts of love every single day, if we only open our eyes to see them. Sometimes we need to get away from our usual workday or school routines in order for our eyes to be opened to God's gifts, including the gift of self.
Many years ago on a Sunday in June at the Basilica of Notre Dame in Indiana, I listened to the bishop there give a beautiful homily at Mass about the importance of a family vacation. He quoted the words Jesus spoke to his disciples in the Gospel of Mark 6:30-34: "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." Jesus didn't spend ALL his time preaching or working miracles. He often took time to get away from the crowds with his closest companions to rest and renew his energy. The bishop went on to describe how a family can grow together in faith and in love when they are able to get away from the routine of life and just enjoy each other's company in a more relaxed setting. In fact, this is something God wants for us--and one of his most precious gifts to us.
Vacations help us connect with our inner lives, and become the complete persons we are called by God to be. Often, our work, which may bring out the best in us as servants of others, can become routine and repetitive, so that it does not allow us to grow in other directions. We can become one dimensional creatures of habit, and our personalities can get stuck in one place. Spiritually, we may grow more slowly, or just stand still.
But vacation time with our families and friends can release our spirit from its small space and set it free. I hope you have a wonderful summer enjoying the beauty of nature, time with people you love and who love you, and a break from the routine of school or work.