We are definitely deep into the green, growing season now. It's the longest season of our liturgical (church) year, and—surprise!—it isn't referencing our northern hemisphere's summer of lush trees and plentiful crops. The liturgical green, growing season is also known as "ordinary time," meaning the seasons between periods of preparation (Advent, Lent) and the great holy moments of Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, and Pentecost.
But "ordinary time" does have a lot in common with summer. Because there's not a lot of formal stuff going on, the green, growing season offers us a time to "choose your own adventure." The mixture of summer and our liturgical calendar offers each of us time for our own personal itinerary of purposeful rest and bountiful nourishment. It's like an independent study for the soul.
So, how would you like to grow during this green season?
My summer will involve rest in the form of time off (from the church office, but also from So Much sports driving). I'll also work on my ability to let my kids grow and explore independently, as my youngest goes to sleep-away camp for two whole weeks, and my oldest travels an ocean away. (Welcoming prayers!)
And, of course, there is summer reading. Summer is my second favorite official reading season of the year. (My first favorite reading season is January—the other green, growing time of the church year, proving it really isn't about plants). This summer I'm reading Mathish: Finding Creativity, Diversity, and Meaning in Mathematics; and The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness; and a whole bunch of fluff. How about you?
Whatever you read, wherever you go, and however you grow, I hope you find rest for your body, mind, and soul in this green season. I'll see you for some summer punch in the Cloister and I'd love to hear all about it.
~Bryn
