Emmanuel Magazine May/June 2017 | Page 8

Emmanuel
Reflection
choice nooks , where was a deep and pleasant shade from which to look upon the wide prospect , steeped in sunshine , which lay stretched out beyond . The earth had donned her mantle of brightest green and shed her richest perfumes abroad . It was the prime and vigor of the year ; all things were glad and flourishing .
Do I take the time to enjoy the light , warmth , and long days of summer sunlight ? Do I thank God for God ’ s seemingly reckless generosity with light , bugs , flowers — all in abundance ? Do I appreciate the brightness , the length of the daylight that encourages us to go out and to reach out ? Saint Ignatius constantly asked of his companions when they went out on mission , “ What fruits are you reaping ?” Have I sown good deeds , good relationships , and a life of prayer so that I , too , will produce good fruits — an abundant harvest ?
More practically , has the summer outdoors helped me to get in shape , physically ( and spiritually ), so I will be ready for autumn and , even beyond that , for the rigors of winter ?
Autumn : “. . . an autumn , so that the ripe fruit might be picked and gathered into the divine barns for safekeeping , lest any of it be lost ”
Autumn begins with the balance of light and darkness , the autumnal equinox on or around September 20 . It is a mix of day and night , light and dark , but quietly the daylight continues to grow shorter . Autumn is above all a season of great beauty — golden leaves , shortening days , misty mornings .
It has its own fragrance , with piles of leaves and cool , fresh mornings . Indeed , it brings forth “ the year ’ s last , loveliest smile .” Autumn lets loose a flourish of colors , red and gold , “ so many shades of gold ” with dazzling beauty . It is the time when nature scatters the seeds for new growth in the spring .
It is a season of decline , of slowing down after the activities of summer . Even as we delight in the great beauty , we also feel a sense of impending loss . Perhaps there is a sense of beauty even in letting go . We must let go so that new powers , new seeds can eventually grow .
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