Photo caption: Lavallette, NJ. Getty image.
By Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Summer invites us to slow down and rediscover the simple blessings God places in our lives.
With school on break and the pace of daily responsibilities easing, we find more time for the people who matter most. Picnics and barbecues, trips to the shore or the mountains, long evenings of sunlight and star‑filled skies, games in the backyard, parish carnivals, outdoor concerts, leisurely walks, renewed exercise, gardening, and the taste of fresh strawberries, Jersey tomatoes and corn on the cob – all of these moments and things remind us in summertime how richly God blesses us through creation and through one another.
This season also offers a quieter space for the soul. Summer gives us the chance to pray with fewer distractions, to stop into our parish church during the week, to celebrate God’s presence more intentionally and to nourish our spirits with good reading – perhaps something that deepens our faith. It is a time to have the conversations we often postpone, to share stories and memories and to laugh together, something we never seem to do enough.
When God created the different seasons, he gave us summer as a kind of “pause that refreshes,” a natural rhythm meant to soothe our human nature and prepare us for the busy months ahead. But this gift only renews us if we allow ourselves to receive it.
So, this summer, take the time, make the time — whether in long stretches or brief moments — to rest, to breathe and to be renewed. You need this. It is God’s gift to you. Show your gratitude by using it well, with your families, with your friends and for the good of your own heart.
And in the midst of all your plans, remember to remain close to the Lord. Make time for Confession, especially if it’s been awhile; go to Mass and receive Holy Communion, don’t let that slip by. Life is always richer, more joyful and more peaceful when Christ is part of our summer.
Stay safe. May God bless you in the weeks ahead with rest, some good fun, laughter and the deep joy that renews your spirit and strengthens your faith.