Another summer has come and gone

As hard as it is to believe, another summer has come and gone. As I look ahead to the promise of a new school year and the cooler weather to come, I find myself reflecting on all that God has done over these past few months. 

As we grow older, it seems that each year passes more swiftly than the one before. And yet, as Scriptures testify: “You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; summer and winter, you have made them” (Psalm 74:17).

This verse from Psalms points to the ordered rhythm of life, artfully crafted by our loving Creator. The cycle of the seasons is a visible sign of God’s providential care – a divine pattern that marks time itself. Yet, in our fast-paced world, if we move too quickly without pausing to notice and reflect, we can overlook the gentle workings of God’s love and grace in our daily lives.

This summer was a busy one for me, filled with the usual meetings and events that come with my ministry. But, it also was a season of recreation, celebration and spiritual renewal that refreshed both body and soul.

Among the highlights was the joyful ordination of our two newest priests, Father Jonah Beckham and Father John Grim. Their commitment fills our local Church with joy and reminds us of God’s work renewing his Church from age to age.

We also celebrated the memorial of Blessed Stanley Rother on July 28, the anniversary of his martyrdom. This annual observance renews my appreciation and gratitude for his heroic witness as a good shepherd. His life challenges us to stand firm in our faith and trust God amid our trials.

In July, I was privileged to walk the Camino de Santiago with a brother bishop. Each time I make this spiritual pilgrimage, I am blessed with new insights from the Lord and renewed in pastoral zeal. 

Each step of the Camino was a chance to quiet the mind, open the heart and become more aware of God’s presence. It was a vivid reminder that even in movement, we need to seek moments of stillness to encounter the Lord in all the ways he comes to us: in his word and the sacraments, in creation, and in each of the fellow pilgrims we meet along on the way.

I pray that you and your families also have found time this summer for recreation, prayer and renewal. These seasons of rest are not mere distractions from life’s responsibilities but essential parts of the rhythm God intends for us.

They allow us to step back from daily busyness, recognize the blessings we have received, and prepare ourselves to face the challenges ahead with renewed strength and hope.

As we enter this next season – whether it be the start of the school year, a new chapter at work or the unfolding of family life – let us remember to pause and thank God for all the good he has done in our lives. Gratitude opens our eyes to the many ways God’s providence has sustained and guided us, even in moments we might have overlooked.

In the words of Saint Paul, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). 

May we carry this spirit of joy, prayer and gratitude into every season of our lives.

Let us embrace the divine rhythm of time – the passage of seasons – as an invitation to grow closer to God, to one another and to ourselves. Through these cycles, God teaches us to trust, to hope and to love more deeply. 

May this new season be a fruitful time of grace for each of us, filled with moments of peace, joy and his abundant blessings.