Wow, it is almost the 4th of July! And June 29th is the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. I am not sure where June went!
As I was driving this song came to mind: “Summertime and the living is easy, fish are jumping and the cotton is high…” Did you know that the second stanza reads something like this: “One of these mornin’s your gonna rise up singing, then you’ll spread your wings and you’ll take to the sky…” Hopefully the summer will offer you some easy living!
When I read the second verse, it made me think of Sunday’s gospel, as well as some of the weekday readings and the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Jesus is sending out the disciples and He is giving them the last-minute instructions; they are going to try their wings.
Jesus does warn them that it won’t always be easy, and that they are to take care. It really proves that even if you are being sent by Jesus, there may still be storms. Look at the reading from Tuesday, where the Apostles are with Jesus in the boat and then a storm comes up! If you are person familiar with boating, you know that this can happen while you are enjoying a peaceful journey. The Apostles were a little slow in turning to Jesus for help. My guess is that being the ‘expert fishermen’, they thought they could handle it themselves.
As disciples of Jesus, we too will face storms. Some we will be prepared for and others, not so much. Do we immediately turn to the one who can be our best help? I think that we can be a little slow on the uptake, just like the Apostles. How do we learn to do that – to turn to Jesus in stormy times? I think we need to use some of the summer’s ‘easy living’ time to deepen that relationship with Him and pray for the graces needed to live a faith filled life in these stormy, challenging times. Spending time with Him and ‘listening’ by leaning in softly to hear others may help us to stretch our hearts and minds in ways we never imagined.
Remember to call out to Jesus in the storms that may prevail you and listen with an open heart to what He is saying. As Julian of Norwich said, “All will be well” as we ride out the storms with Jesus by our side! Keep in mind that some storms last longer than others, but Jesus never abandons us.
Have a great week and enjoy celebrating our ‘freedom’ on the Fourth. Remember too that with freedom comes responsibility. May you have a storm free week.
Till next week,
Sister Theresita
PS: Should you wish to be a laborer helping with the harvest, you may contact our Vocations team!
