From the rector: The in-between moments are holy ground

By Father Ben

The Rev. Benjamin Wells Maas is the rector of Saint James’ Episcopal Church and the chaplain of Saint James’ Episcopal School.

Normally, the pattern this time of year is quite different. There is a little breathing room after Holy Week and Easter before things rev up again for the end of the school year, and the busyness is more of a steady hum. Once the program year and school year wrap up the hum softens to more of a gentle purr.

This year the jet engine roar has only grown louder. Easter Day gave way to surgeries and recoveries, a move, the launch of a capital campaign, two graduations, a twenty first birthday, a renovation requiring a temporary relocation, and I know I am forgetting something…. Oh yes, a wedding!

If I looked back over the past 20 years of writings around this time of year, I know I would find a similar theme. Slow down, listen to more music, read a frivolous book, let evenings, times with friends and conversations linger, reclaim some of that childhood wonder and mirth that made summers so magical. I might have provided that helpful image of a kite and invite you to play, soar, travel, let the wind take you, but remember where you are tethered, keep those touchstones, keep time for those connections, friends, this parish community. Use some of this slower time to give God a little more space, give thanks, take stock, seek guidance and recalibration. Fill your tanks for the coming year.

I still stand by all of this, but it doesn’t feel like where I am right now. I have so much to be excited about and grateful for, but not enough time to soak it up and really renew my spirit. I could just tell myself that once I get to June 28, then all of the above will be excellent advice. However, I fear that I do that too often. I don’t want to race to the other side of our wedding day, just like I didn’t want to race to the other side of Lauralee’s school days or Elliott’s first 21 years of life. I race to — and beyond — milestones and celebrate them with a busyness that often finds me sprinting past and then looking back with pangs of regret for the lost or hurried moments. Even the fullest days offer choices of how we claim our time. No day or moment is apart from God, and it is all a gift and an opportunity.

I remember being struck some years back by the title of a book, “Too Busy Not to Pray.” While I walked right past the book, the title stuck with me. It really is a truth worth repeating again and again. Jesus didn’t pray because life slowed down, it was just the opposite. At his busiest, most stressful moments, he pulled himself back and found space for himself, for God.

I find the busier I am, the more poorly I use those in-between moments. So my prayer for me and for you is that whether or not this summer affords substantial opportunity for slowing down, we realize that each day is holy ground and offers moments to take off our shoes and stand still in it.

May God’s peace and God’s goodness wash over you this summer and every day,

Ben+

The Rev. Benjamin Wells Maas is the rector of Saint James’ Episcopal Church and the chaplain of Saint James’ Episcopal School. Contact him at rector@saintjameswarrenton.org.