Ding!

The Summer Solstice has arrived.

The majority of our High School students will finish the school year today, and our younger ones just have a half day or two of "school" left. Summer is officially here.

Many of us will be going away. The sun will shine (maybe... hopefully...). The traffic in town will be lighter (always welcome). There will be more space on buses, trains and subways. It's time to rest, even for those of us who will remain working through the months of July and August.

Sometimes, for some of us, Summer means missing Mass. Other than providing ourselves with roughly an extra hour of "doing anything we want", what does it really get us? That one hour "savings" comes at a steep cost. Aside from the fact that we are under obligation to attend Mass, think of everything we lose:

• An opportunity to receive the Holy Body and Blood of Christ (which Solemnity we celebrate this Sunday). Is there really anything that can compare with the significance of that? Any breakfast? Any outdoor activity? Any shopping? Any extra hour of sleep?
• An opportunity to receive Grace and blessings that keep us on the right path. 
• An opportunity for reflection, meditation, and prayer.
• An opportunity for spending time in His presence.
• An opportunity to join our brothers and sisters around the world as part of the Mystical Body of Christ, worshiping God and remembering Christ's Sacrifice for our salvation.
• An opportunity to pray for others.

Enjoy the Summer - but really enjoy it. Enjoy it being grateful to HIM who gave us our families, our friends, the sun, vacations, barbecues, brunches, and even lemonade.