It’s summertime! What a beautiful season to appreciate the wonders of nature around us as we stroll through the neighborhood, admiring the plants and colorful flowers in bloom. It’s delightful to hear the chirping of birds and the buzzing of bees flying in the air. And what a soothing feeling the warmth of the sun brings to our bodies, complemented by a cool breeze.
As we go out to meet family and friends on weekends, trying different flavors of food and drinks, we are truly blessed by our sense of taste, enjoying the diverse cuisines our city offers. How wonderful it is to feel the loving presence and care of our loved ones. Thank God for not being alone, especially during long holiday weekends when many people gather for parties, camping trips, and other celebrations.
We are fortunate to be part of a community that gathers for worship and fellowship. Thank God for making us feel welcome, deeply connected to others, and for providing us with a sense of belonging.
Thank God for those sacred moments when we experience peace and wholeness. Thank God for the periods of silence that soothe and heal our minds and hearts. Thank God for the works of art—a painting, a book, or a sculpture—that deepen our understanding, open our hearts, and inspire our spirits.
Thank God for a heart that sees goodness in others and has the courage to face setbacks, challenges, and uncertainty. Thank God for a heart that forgives, understands, and empathizes. Thank God for a heart that is humble and seeks reconciliation.
For me, this Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 13:1-23 ) emphasizes the importance of truly seeing and listening to the Word of God made alive and fulfilled around us. It’s about seeing not just with our physical eyes but with our spiritual eyes—the eyes of the heart. It’s about opening our minds to the potential for ourselves and others to lead richer, more fruitful, meaningful, and harmonious lives.
My hope is that our eyes, ears, and hearts are open to witnessing God’s work around us, despite the challenges and struggles we face. I hope we never give up on goodness, kindness, and forgiveness, even amid the threats of division within families and communities.
Enjoy this summer! As the old cliché goes, take the time to smell the roses. Rest your bodies and spirits. Speak kindly to one another. Care deeply and love generously!
Much love,
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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