The Long Days of Summer

The Long Days of Summer

July 6th, 2020

As the Summer continues and we enter July, we experience the long hot and humid days that Iowa is known for. It doesn't seem like Summer until the heat is in the 90s with 123% humidity. You know the days I am talking about, the ones where you walk outside and feel like you can drink the air. In the midst of the heat and humidity, and the continuation of the pandemic, it can be easy to fall into the trap of the long days of Summer. 

In the current situation we can be quick to get frustrated with many things going on around us. The weather, wearing a mask in public, travel restrictions, the fear of getting the virus. There are so many things causing frustration, fear, and anxiety today that it is hard to realize the great things that God is doing for us. My challenge for you this week is to look for those God moments in your life, try and find some every single day!

This Summer has been one filled with many blessings. Fr. Ed, Fr. Sunny, and everyone who works in our parish have offered me the chance to learn many things. The Summer has also helped me learn what it means to be a parish priest. While I am living in a parish and helping with Masses and other activities, sometimes I can forget that I am a seminarian! As hard as that is to believe. Earlier today I received my peer evaluations, formal evaluations, and copies of my self-evaluation from the first year of seminary formation. This was a great reminder that I am still in seminary. I cannot believe that I am admitting this, but I miss the formation process and the check-ins that help me to grow and become a better man. 

My evaluations showed me some strengths I have and also some areas for growth. While I could easily ignore the areas for growth or some of the constructive criticism, that would not help in my process towards the priesthood, and mainly becoming a better Christian man. I will not get into my areas for growth, but I will say they are things that I was blind to for a long time. They were things that have been brought to my attention in the past and I ignored them. The reason: I was simply not ready to confront those things that I needed to work on. After a year of formation, I am ready to work on some of my areas of weakness. I know I say this quite often on these posts, but I cannot say enough how grateful I am the faculty, staff, and formation team at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. They have truly helped me see the potential I have to become a better Christian man. 

Maybe the point this month: Find those God moments and do not be afraid to confront those areas in life you feel you need to work on. If you struggle with these kinds of things, like I do, place your trust in God. He will see you through!

Pax et Bonum,

Jake