As we enter the into the summer’s heat and humidity, the words of Jesus in the Gospel really bring refreshment to us: “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” We hear and see the word “refreshment” in many forms of advertisement such as beverage commercials, “get away” vacations to refreshing beaches and hot spots, or just by sitting with the air conditioner. When we experience these invitations, we can feel a longing to say: “Ahhh!! Yes!! Just what I need!” While beaches, beverages and vacations and all the good things that summer can offer are wonderful, there is another kind of refreshment that we need that often goes unnoticed: rest for the soul!! As modern people we live in a very rest-less world. Time-management becomes our top priority because these are so many things we must get accomplished: Our “to-do” list becomes longer and heavier. Our medical community is finding that many people don’t get nearly enough sleep needed for health. Our sleep clinics in hospitals are overflowing with people who need assistance in getting sufficient sleep. I wonder if the reason is that we are living mostly from “the outside-in” that is, trying to meet so many expectations and demands placed upon us that are really stretching our human capacities? Society demands so much, e.g., that we should have a certain amount of income in our savings, that we should be taking certain medications and vitamins for health, and on and on. When we can’t meet these expectations we often feel disappointed with ourselves and a lack of fulfillment in our lives.  It’s not that we shouldn’t strive to become better, healthier people or do noble deeds for others. It’s just that all God expects of us is to simply be “human.” He wants to guide our lives, give us peace and hope, and every once in a while to “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” He wants us to be mindful of our own beauty & goodness since we are made in His image.  When I visited Assisi years ago, I saw the “carcieri” or little rooms up in the mountains that St. Francis used to escape to every few months. He would spend some time in these little cottages to pray and just enjoy the beauty of the mountains. From this experience he received grace and energy to come back down to the city to help  the poor, and spend time with his brother friars in fraternity. Being alone with God for a while helped St. Francis live a balanced life: to let God be God and himself be a simple human being. So as we enter into the midst of summer, I invite you dear parishioners to follow the example of Francis and spend some time alone with Jesus in prayer. I guarantee that you will feel refreshed and filled with the joy of God’s spirit!!   

~ Fr. John