As we enter the into the summer’s heat and humidi ty, the words of Jesus in the Gospel really bring re freshment to us: “Come away by yourselves to a de serted place and rest a while.” We hear and see the word “refreshment” in many forms of adver sement such as beverage commercials, “get away” vaca ons to refreshing beaches and hot spots, or just by si ng with the air condi oner. When we experience these invita ons, we can feel a longing to say: “Ahhh!! Yes!! Just what I need!” While beaches, beverages and vaca ons and all the good things that summer can offer are wonderful, there is another kind of refreshment that we need that o en goes unno ced: 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 ge ng sufficient sleep. I wonder if the reason is that we are living mostly from “the outside-in” that is, trying to meet so many expecta ons and demands placed upon us that are really stretching our human capaci es? Society demands so much, e.g., that we should have a certain amount of income in our savings, that we should be taking certain medica ons and vitamins for health, and on and on. When we can’t meet these expecta ons we o en feel disappointed with ourselves and a lack of fulfillment in our lives. It’s not that we shouldn’t strive to become be er, 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 mind ful of our own beauty & goodness since we are made in His image. When I visited Assisi years ago, I saw the “carcieri” or li le rooms up in the mountains that St. Francis used to escape to every few months. He would spend some me in these li le co ages 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 me 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 me alone with Jesus in prayer. I guarantee that you will feel refreshed and filled with the joy of God’s spirit!!

~ Fr. John