First Day of Summer

The calendar says that today is the first day of summer. However, when you listen to or read the gospel for this Wednesday of the 11th Week of Ordinary Time, you might think that it is the beginning of Lent. It is appropriate that the gospel, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18, falls on a Wednesday. This gospel presents Jesus talking to us about what we know as the goods of Lent: Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving. Perhaps the reason we hear this gospel again is to remind us that these goods are not confined just to Lent, but we need to be living these goods everyday. We need prayer everyday! We need to keep that communication line open with God so that we can present our needs to Him, but also take the time to listen to His voice. Fasting from something strengthens our prayer and also the longing that we have to be with our Lord as we look forward to the coming of the kingdom. Almsgiving reminds us that we need to be of service to our brothers and sisters. Let's say that the gospel for today is a friendly reminder to live the goods of Lent each day of our lives. May God Bless Us in our journey!!!