Just like the first day of Winter this first day of summer is an important day to reflect, one with the longest day the other with the longest night. Our reflections on the winter solstice shortly turn to our Christmas celebration and the return of the son (sun). The first day of summer shortly turns to our celebration of the Birth of John the Baptist (June 24th) and the one who prepares the way. In many countries around the summer solstice there are traditions of bonfires, called St. John's Fires, to mark the nights around the solstice. It is again a preparing for the son (sun). Six months apart, these two nativity feasts have much in common and a lot to reflect on. We look back in history to the Birth of the Savior at Christmas. With these St. John Fires we are challenged to look forward to Christ's coming again, and are asked if we are preparing the way, as John did? Are we working to build the Kingdom of God here on earth in preparation for the coming again of Christ? We pray the Lord's prayer over and over, asking that "thy Kingdom come," but do we do anything about it?
Good summer reading should probably include the three chapters of Matthew's Gospel that outline Christ's ministry, Chapters 5, 6, 7. This begins with the Beatitudes and moves on through the Sermon on the Mount. If we are to celebrate with John the Baptist and await the coming of Christ we should be preparing the way.
