Fr. John’s Summer Message
Jesus says to his disciples: “Come to me all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.... you will find rest for your souls.” We all know that work is a part of life – but work is not all of life. We need, on occasion, to retreat from everyday business, and to observe some leisure time in order to recharge our batteries – to rest. This is common sense, right?
Children observe this naturally. When awake they go, go, go, but when they are tired, they sleep -- no matter where they are. But as busy adults we can easily forget how to get a balance into our lives.
We are made of body and soul and therefore we need to rest our bodies as well as our souls. And concerning the soul, a retreat from the everyday concerns is not a luxury -- it is an essential part of the spiritual life. For it allows God to speak to us and direct us, and it allows God to comfort us and to respond to our needs.
Some "silent time" can do wonders for our faith life. Even 10 minutes praying the rosary, for example, can be a break from our everyday concerns and give us time to recharge our batteries. As well, it gives God a chance to communicate to us and to give us comfort and direction. For in God alone can we can find rest for our souls.
I would therefore encourage you all to rest well during these summer months. But I would also like you to consider rest for your soul as well as for your body. That is taking some time out in quiet in order to rest in God. This will unburden the soul and will give you peace. For summer holidays are not just for the body -- they are for the soul as well. And the break from the everyday routine that holidays give, can help revive our soul and give us renewed strength and peace.
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