We are just one week away from celebrating America’s 250th birthday. For those of us who remember the Bicentennial in 1976, it’s hard to believe that celebration was 50 years ago.
This year’s festivities are even bigger, and we here in Washington are right in the middle of them. Various events are already underway, and the July Fourth fireworks on the National Mall are expected to set a new world record.
As someone who grew up in the area and worked on Capitol Hill, I proudly celebrate our country and pray that we will continue to enjoy the blessings of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
While I always look forward to the excitement of Independence Day – especially this one – I also find that these quieter summer weeks give me an opportunity to catch my breath, reflect on my own life, and ask what God has in store for me. I have tried to use summer's slower pace this way for most of my life. It has unquestionably helped me draw closer to the Lord and understand more clearly what He is asking of me.
How are you spending the summer? I hope you get a vacation, whether it’s a dream trip or a simple “staycation.” Times of rest and being with loved ones are important.
I also encourage you to think about your own faith journey. Take a step back and ask yourself where you are spiritually, where you hope to be, and where you believe God is calling you. How can you prepare not only for the faster pace of the fall but also for whatever God has in store for you?
It doesn’t have to be burdensome. Think of these moments as little retreats from everyday life that allow you to reflect, pray, and listen to the “still, small voice” of God (1 Kings 19) that pierces the quiet.
In the words of Psalm 46, “Be still and know that I am God!”
These summer reflections have always been a blessing for me. Not because I do them particularly well, but because they remind me that I am not always where I want to be spiritually. Even more important, they give me hope for the future – hope for our country, our Church, my family and friends, and for myself.
I don’t mean hope for greater success in life. They give me hope that I can serve others more faithfully, deepen my commitment to others, strengthen my prayer life, and better help those in need. This summer, those thoughts have taken on a little more meaning for me personally.
To be honest, it can be a little bittersweet as I think about getting older. My energy is not what it once was, and there are things I simply can't do anymore. Yet the opportunities to serve – the calls for help – continue to come. I try to respond as generously as I can with the gifts and energy God has given me today.
That has become my biggest reflection this summer: What does it mean to be living in my 80th year and still be serving as a priest? How can I be the priest God wants me to be at this stage of my life?
As I think about that, I know God is still calling me to serve, support, and help those in need. I am trying to be smart about what I take on and gradually reducing the number of boards and committees I serve on. I don't want to step back from things that make a difference for people, but I need to be realistic about the limitations that come with growing older.
Summer is an opportune time to slow down, pray, and reflect upon what God has in store for us. As you enjoy your vacation and this year's spectacular Fourth of July celebrations, thank God for the gift of leisure and for the many blessings we enjoy in this great country.
Most of all, take some time to think about how you can draw closer to God, make a difference in the lives of those around you, and be the person God is calling you to be.
(Msgr. John Enzler serves as the mission advocate of Catholic Charities of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington and is a chaplain at his alma mater, St. John’s College High School in Washington. He writes the Faith in Action column for the archdiocese’s Catholic Standard and Spanish-language El Pregonero newspapers and websites.)
