14th Sunday of Ordinary Time
There are countless things to be grateful for in life, but especially in the summer. Things are in full bloom, gardens are alive, people are outside, and it seems like there is just a lot more life to live in this season, and a lot more energy to spend doing so. That being said, there can be a sense of ‘all do, no stop’. In the business of activities and work, we must remind ourselves to stop and to rest.
Seasons are a beautiful thing in this way, giving us a time and a place to either go at full speed or to take the time to step away and experience proper rest and recreation. Good rest and recreation allow us to fill our cups before we can go back to filling other people’s cups. It reminds us that rest is foundational to the human person and without it we can almost go so far as to lose our humanity. Let us not forget that in the midst of the 7 day creation story in Genesis, God in all His wisdom set aside an entire day in order to experience rest. It is necessary.
There are a myriad of ways for a person to experience rest, but one of the best is to encounter beauty. It recreates and energizes the human soul in a way that is unique and life giving. One of the best places to encounter beauty is in nature, that God also created for us. A sunrise, listening to the birds in the trees, hearing the cicadas sing in the evening, gazing upon a magnificent mountain view in all its splendor. Let us take in scenes with eyes of wonder to see the beauty that is before us, oftentimes in ‘ordinary’ ways too.
In the gospel we hear Jesus say to us: “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” God desires to replenish our stores and allow us to experience true restoration in our souls.
So take some time if you have not done so recently. Go to confession, mass, experience the sun on your skin, and watch a sunset. Listen to what He is saying to you. Encounter His beauty right there! Then watch as your life changes.