Faces on Faith: Summer’s slower pace is a gift
I welcome summer’s slower pace as an opportunity to slow down and spend more time in contemplative prayer. Fr. Richard Rohr suggests that this enables us to “look at ourselves with the eyes of God” and with a “mutually loving gaze” when he says:
“Much of the early work of contemplation is discovering a way to observe ourselves from a compassionate and nonjudgmental distance until we can eventually live more and more of our lives from this calm inner awareness and acceptance. In a contemplative stance, we find ourselves smiling, sighing, and weeping at ourselves, much more than needing either to hate or to congratulate ourselves — because we are finally looking at ourselves with the eyes of God.
“In these moments, we are letting God gaze at us, in the way only God can gaze — with infinite mercy, love, and compassion. God initiates a positive gaze, which now goes in both directions. (Unfortunately, we seldom allow that to happen.)
“As we receive God’s compassionate gaze in contemplation, all negative energy and motivation is slowly exposed and eventually falls away as counterproductive and useless. There will be no mistrust, fear, or negativity in either direction! If we resort to any form of shaming ourselves, we will slip back into defense, denial, and overcompensation. We will not be able to ‘know as fully as we are known’ (see 1 Corinthians 13:12).
“But if we can connect with the Indwelling Presence, where the ‘Spirit bears common witness with our spirit’ (see Romans 8:16), it can and will change our lives! This mutually loving gaze is always initiated by God and grace. Once we learn to rest there, nothing less ever satisfies. This is foundational.
“To keep this space within ourselves open, we need some form of meditative practice — something much more than ‘saying’ prayers. Authentic prayer is invariably a matter of both emptying the mind and filling the heart, and often one follows the other. We have to move beyond recited, formulaic, and social prayers to bring the mind down into the heart.”
Contemplative prayer invites us to move beyond words and simply rest in God’s presence. Rather than bringing a list of requests or concerns, we come before God with open hearts, listening and being still. In a world filled with constant noise, notifications, and activity, this practice helps us remember that our worth is not found in what we accomplish, but in who we are as beloved children of God.
The slower rhythm of summer offers a unique opportunity to cultivate this kind of prayer. A quiet morning on the porch, a walk along the beach, time spent in a garden, or even a few moments of silence before the day begins can become sacred spaces for encountering God. As the Psalmist reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
This summer, consider setting aside just five or 10 minutes each day to sit quietly with God. Let go of distractions, breathe deeply, and simply rest in God’s loving presence. You may discover that in the stillness, God speaks not through dramatic words, but through a deep sense of peace, clarity, and renewal. Slow down and spend some time “bringing the mind down into the heart” this summer.
Summer’s slower pace is a gift. May it become an invitation not only to rest our bodies, but also to nourish our souls.
The Rev. William “Bill” Van Oss is the rector at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church.