There's a summer saint for that

By Jennifer Gregory Miller | Jul 14, 2015

I've been busy with summer traveling, pool fun, and a little minor foot surgery, but have not been immune to feeling a little disheartened by the headlines this summer. With news of Jenner transgenderism, Supreme Court redefinition of marriage, laws forcing people to go against their beliefs, the Confederate flag outlawed, white persons claiming to have the right to be considered black, and so forth, I just keep thinking it can't get much worse. 

Ordinary Time of the Liturgical Year does not stress one particular part of the Redemption of Christ or his Paschal mysteries, which leaves room for various emphases on all aspects of the Faith. This liturgical season (or lack of one) is the perfect time for the emphasis of the Communion of Saints. Lately the Faith has been attacked on all sides, making us sometimes question whether we are living in an alternative universe where things are not what they truly seem to be. 

In a way, Christians seeing the Light and Truth IS an alternative reality because it includes the spiritual and physical, and the big picture of eternity, not just earthly matters. Unjust manmade laws might be imposed and enforced, but it doesn’t change morality. Through this all the faithful need to continue to follow Christ: the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Although times may seem bleak, the Church holds up brothers and sisters, saints in Christ, who have fought similar battles. Just as in the commercial world for any need, “There’s an app for that” similarly "There’s a saint for every need," and the Liturgical Year is particularly rich in the summer with saint companions who have traveled through similar trials.

I've been busy with summer traveling, pool fun, and a little minor foot surgery, but have not been immune to feeling a little disheartened by the headlines this summer. With news of Jenner transgenderism, Supreme Court redefinition of marriage, laws forcing people to go against their beliefs, the Confederate flag outlawed, white persons claiming to have the right to be considered black, and so forth, I just keep thinking it can't get much worse. Ordinary Time of the Liturgical Year does not stress one particular part of the Redemption of Christ or his Paschal mysteries, which leaves room for various emphases on all aspects of the Faith. This liturgical season (or lack of one) is the perfect time for the emphasis of the Communion of Saints. Lately the Faith has been attacked on all sides, making us sometimes question whether we are living in an alternative universe where things are not what they truly seem to be.  In a way, Christians seeing the Light and Truth IS an alternative reality because it includes the spiritual and physical, and the big picture of eternity, not just earthly matters. Unjust manmade laws might be imposed and enforced, but it doesn’t change morality. Through this all the faithful need to continue to follow Christ: the Way, the Truth and the Life. Although times may seem bleak, the Church holds up brothers and sisters, saints in Christ, who have fought similar battles. Just as in the commercial world for any need, “There’s an app for that” similarly "There’s a saint for every need," and the Liturgical Year is particularly rich in the summer with saint companions who have traveled through similar trials. Read on here to find your summer saint!