Week of July 9, 2001
Lois P.

"The heavens are telling the glory of God; they are a marvelous display of his craftsmanship. Day and night they keep on telling about God. Without a sound or word, silent in the skies, their message reaches out to all the world. The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it and moves out across the skies as radiant as a bridegroom going to his wedding or as joyous as an athlete looking forward to a race! The sun crosses the heavens from end to end, and nothing can hide from its heat."
     Psalm 19: 1-6

I am a beach person. Ever since I was a child, I have been a beach person. As I have gotten older, I still enjoy jumping the waves and building the sandcastles. But I also enjoy the beach as one of my favorite places to think, reflect, meditate, and pray.

Last week, our family shared a week at the beach for a family reunion. And even among the visiting and playing, we each had a chance to just "sit and veg" on the beach! As I looked out at the horizon, I realized that this is probably one of the few places where one can actually see all this pure sky and ocean...a view uninterrupted by any man-made obstacles (except for an occasional para-sailer). The view is quite awesome .... it always causes me to marvel at God's creation process and the immense strength and beauty of his "craftsmanship". From this massive sky and ocean to the smallest shell on the sand, his hand has touched everything! I was grateful for the chance to "soak up" God's beauty. And as the Psalm says, "without a sound or word, silent in the skies, their message reaches out to all the world." Everyone can see and feel this beauty and the many signs of God's love for us. Whether it is in the summer flowers blooming or in the eyes of a loved one, God's love shines through all around us. And for this, we give Him thanks.

>Heavenly Father, we thank you for the beautiful world you have created for us. During these warm summer months, help us to enjoy your creations of the sky, the sun, the sea and all the many natural details. May we be messengers for you by pointing out your marvelous creations to those around us and give you thanks. In your name we pray, Amen.

Contributed by Lois P.
Published Monday July 9, 2001
Week 33 of Liturgical Year C