Our Rector’s Page

Spiritual Summer

 I am writing this message to encourage you to take some time of prayerful reflection during the summer season. Where and when is completely up to you but…my prayer is you will take this time during the summer to reflect, reenergize, and rest. This has been a lesson learned over sixty years of living, and it is a lifelong journey. I have learned this lesson from some extraordinary people.

The first is an eighty-five-year-old monk who discovered the value of regularly removing himself from the chaos and confusion of our busy world and spending several weeks each summer either with a couple of close friends or even more often by himself. He thinks, prays, walks, eats, sleeps, and paddles in a canoe. He has rediscovered peace.

The second experience happened in my youth, happened when a talented and wise priest taught me the ‘theology of leisure.’ He taught me the value of fun, athletic sports, summertime hobbies, and the importance of slowing down long enough to see the beauty of God’s creation. He often reminded me that Jesus spent a lot of time at the beach and even more time in prayer. Our Lord took the time to step away to pray.

Jesus did this often. As you know, Jesus walked just about everywhere. Walking exercises the body, the mind, and the spirit. Our Lord showed us the example of walking while preparing oneself for whatever challenges may be ahead. I often wonder if his study of the scriptures in the Old Testament were part of his reading time off by Himself under the shade of a tree, all the while growing in the spirit. Perhaps He has given us an example of taking this season to search for the silence all the while being comforted by the restorative spirit. It is time alone in prayer that renews our weary and heavy-laden soul.

It is in this season of a spiritual summer that we are renewed in our faith and learn how to step away from stressful situations in order to rest and pray.

This is the first of a series of brief messages to encourage you to be gentle with yourself while enjoying all the blessings of the summer.

Blessings,

Stephen