Well, we have come to our last school mass of the school
year. Soon you will be able to relax a little bit and enjoy your hard-earned
summer vacation.
As you see by my vestments, the Church is back to the season
of the year called Ordinary Time. During Ordinary Time the priest wears the
color green to symbolize growth. Green is the color of growing things.
The Green of Ordinary Time represents the new, vibrant life
and spiritual growth that is to occur within Christian souls during this time
of the Church’s Year.
Much of Ordinary Time coincides with the growing summer
months in this part of the world. Farmers have planted their seeds, the summer
wheat and corn and vegetables will be growing throughout the summer through
harvest time. All of you will continue growing through the summer months; many
of you will show up to school next fall a several inches taller.
During summer vacation, no doubt, God wants all of you to
continue to grow, not just your bodies of course, but your minds and hearts.
Now our bodies will grow without much effort, all we have to do is eat right,
sleep right, and exercise rightly. But as you it takes much more effort for our
minds to grow. And it takes more effort for our hearts to grow.
For our minds to grow, we have to read and study. So, this
summer, please, I beg you, and I know I beg you on behalf of your teachers, don’t
let your mind go to waste by spending all summer playing video games and scrolling
through social media posts. Yes, you’ll have a lot more free time over the
summer than you do during the school year, please read books, please limit
screen time, spend time outside learning about nature. Summer can even be a
time to be able to study a subject you didn’t have time to study during the
school year or study and develop a skill, an art. Grow your mind when you have
the opportunity.
But, also, this summer, God will want your hearts and souls
to grow. And our hearts and souls grow through the choices we make. The choice
to be patient, the choice to be kind, the choice to make peace with someone we’ve
been arguing with, the choice to forgive, the choice to remain faithful to God
when we’re being tempted, the choice to be generous, the choice to turn away
from being selfish.
“Love one another intensely from a pure heart”, St. Peter
said in our first reading today. And to love is choice. And when that choice is
made our hearts and souls grow as God intended.
Dear ones, I pray your summer is restful and rejuvenating,
but I also pray that you may continue to grow, that your hearts might become
ever more like the heart of Jesus, full of love. Love for your families, love for
your country, love for your fellow Christians, love for all people, for the
glory of God and the salvation of souls.
For the Church: that during this season of Ordinary Time,
all Christians may continue to grow in holiness, charity, wisdom, and
faithfulness to the Gospel. Let us pray to the Lord.
For our nation, especially as we celebrate 250 years of the
birth of our nation this summer: that leaders may seek the common good, protect
the young, serve families, and work for peace and authentic justice.
For all students beginning summer vacation: that they may
use their time well, grow in knowledge and virtue, limit distractions, enjoy
God’s creation, and choose each day to love one another from a pure heart.
For the students, teachers, staff, and families of our academy:
that this summer may be a time of rest, renewal, safety, and growth in mind,
body, heart, and soul
For those who are sick, lonely, poor, afraid, or burdened in
any way: that they may know the help of God always, and that we may be
attentive and responsive to those whom we have an opportunity to help.
That those who mourn may be comforted by the promise of the
Resurrection, and for the repose of the souls of our beloved dead.
Heavenly Father, you have planted the seed of faith within
us. Help us to grow in wisdom, virtue, and love throughout these summer months.
Hear the prayers we offer today, and grant them according to your holy will.
Through Christ our Lord.
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