A Summer with Jesus

We have just celebrated the joyful Feast of Pentecost.  Although we have finished the bishop’s Confirmation tour for the year, there are still people entering the Church in parishes around the Diocese, under the delegation of their pastors.  We give thanks to God for each of these beautiful steps being taken, moving forward in bringing the Good News into the world. 

Summer has arrived, with its promise of recreation and rest.  This is a special time to give thanks to God for all the gifts that are given, and to plan the next months as special occasions of grace.  I have shared thoughts with Confirmandi (those who are to be confirmed), Catholic School students and others over the past weeks about the primary importance of the spiritual life, seeing God in all things, and the ultimate value of the hidden, invisible realities which are the supernatural gifts we take for granted.

"This is a special time to give thanks to God for all the gifts that are given, and to plan the next months as special occasions of grace."

Looking back, I remember the summer plans, the preparations for a family trip to the mountains of western Montana.  After weeks of checking out the tent, sleeping bags, Volkswagon van, camp stove, fishing poles (correct bait and/or lures), outdoor clothes, stores of food and endless supplies, we would head out on the trail.  Our overloaded and overstuffed VW (10 kids, etc.) could barely do 35 mph up the Cooke City Highway to Beartooth Pass.  On the back of our VW was a sign: “I may be slow, but I’m ahead of you.”   And when we arrived at the destination, we knew that our great adventure would be talked about for months. 

Start slow this summer.  Hang out with Jesus and ask him, what do you want us to do?  Where would you like us to go?  What would you like to do?  Stay with the really real, the hidden, the invisible, the Spirit inside you:  Jesus, conceived in our Baptism, Confirmed in our Amen to his Spirit, nourishing and growing us through our Eucharist.  Stay in conversation with Jesus.  He likes us and he loves us without reservation, just as we are.  We are naturals at this relationship, it is the one we are made for.  He wants us out of our shell, and he wants to be along for the ride. 

"Start slow this summer.  Hang out with Jesus and ask him, what do you want us to do?  Where would you like us to go?  What would you like to do?" 

We prepare now for the national Episcopal Consecration of the United States of America, on its 250^th anniversary, to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  May our summer, our families, and our nation come to know and love him more.  Keep an eye out for his little ones and help those who need help along the way. Let us begin our summer in prayer and allow God to have his way.        

+Most Reverend Stephen J. Berg

Bishop of Pueblo

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