Summer is traditionally the time when we think of vacations and time away.  During these dog days of summer we are all yearning for a little get away and some time for R and R but let's not forget to take God with us.  Summer vacation cannot be a vacation from God, going to Mass or our daily prayers. Our time away to rejuvenate still needs that time with God.  If we are really looking for peace and rest in our lives we need to remember that those things can only truly be found in God.  As St. Augustine once said, "Our hearts are restless O Lord until they rest in you", let vacation not only be a time to rejuvenate our tired bodies but also our tired spirits.

During these dog days of summer I am always amazed at how quickly the heat wears me out.  Whether it is trying to run in the morning and feeling tired sooner, or being outside and feeling overwhelmed by the humidity, the heat can sap our energy and limit our activities pretty quickly.  When we feel hot and sticky how quickly we are refreshed by a cold bottle of water, a jump in the pool or getting into the AC.  We soon are refreshed and feel better.

In our spiritual lives we often need a pick-me-up as well because we can be feeling rundown, tired, over burdened or low on energy.  That is why prayer, reflection and quiet time are so important for our spiritual lives.  Just as a dip in the pool can refresh us, time spent with the Lord can refresh our daily lives as well and restore to us what stress and the challenges of daily life take out of all of us.

     The Feast of Pentecost celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Mary and the Apostles.  What has alway struck me about Pentecost is that the Scriptures tell us they were behind locked doors out of fear.  Jesus' Apostles were afraid, confused and not sure what to do next prior to Pentecost.  What happened at Pentecost that caused this same group of uneducated simple fishermen to be able to change the world?

     What happened is the power of the Holy Spirit which enabled this group of uneducated men to literally conquer the Roman Empire.  That should show us the power of the Holy Spirit.  This group that once huddled in fear, after receiving the gift of the Spirit, rushed out to proclaim Christ.  That is why this Feast Day is called the birthday of the Church.  It was the power of the Holy Spirit that enabled such a transformation in the Apostles. That same power dwells in us but what are we doing with it?

     As we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension we remember Christ's return to the glory of heaven.  After completing His work as our Redeemer, Jesus returns to the right hand of God the Father.  Like the Apostles, we are saddened at the Lord's physical departure, but let's not forget Jesus' final words: I am with you always even to the end of the age.

     Jesus promises the disciples and us that he is with us always.  While celebrating in the Ascension that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us in the Kingdom of God, let's not lose sight that He is still with us here helping us to keep our eyes focused on Him, so that where Christ has gone we also may follow.

     May is traditionally the month dedicated to the Blessed Mother.  As Catholics, we honor Mary as a woman of faith and a model of holiness.  It was Mary's yes to the Angel at the Annuniciation that allowed God's loving plan for salvation to unfold.  Mary's yes continued throughout her life as she accepted the will of God in the many twists and turns her life took as the Mother of God.  Mary's biggest yes was at Calvary.  With a broken heart she had to watch her Son die, trusting in God when all seemed lost.

     Mary is not just someone we honor; she should also be someone who inspires us.  Mary's life was very much like ours; there were difficulites, challenges and sorrows.  Yet, in all of this Mary remained a woman of faith and kept saying yes to whatever God asked of her.  Through Mary's prayerful help and with her as a model we should all strive to do the same.