June 20, 2025: Summer Solstice

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today we enjoy about 14 hours and 22 minutes of daylight – summer solstice – what we have been moving toward since December. Daylight reaches its pinnacle! One week from today, June 27, daylight will be with us for 14 hours and 20 minutes. A very slow diminishment as we tilt toward the winter solstice when the cycle begins again. 

Last week I took a few photos of flowers around St. Bart’s campus: tiger lilies, spider flowers and blossoms on the magnolia tree near the labyrinth. The magnolia tree reminds me of care free summer days spent with my maternal grandparents who always had an abundance of junk food for me and my brother to delight in. They had a magnolia tree in their backyard, and the fragrance emanating from the flowers always caught my attention. The large white flower holds its place as a pollinator, surrounded by sturdy green waxy leaves absorbing sunlight converting it to energy - all signs of God’s gift of nature for us to enjoy. 

In the Daily Office Psalm 92 is assigned for this evening, a portion follows.

1  It is a good thing to give thanks to God *

and to sing praises to your Name, O Most High;

2  To tell of your loving-kindness early in the morning 

* and of your faithfulness in the night season;

3  On the psaltery, and on the lyre, * and to the melody of the harp,

4  For you have made me glad by your acts, O God, *

and I shout for joy because of the works of your hands.

5  O God, how great are your works; * your thoughts are very deep. 

St. Helena Psalter

As summer begins, pause to contemplate the season's beauty, the sustaining light of resurrection, and the mystery of faith - anchoring our days and guiding our nights. 

God’s peace be with you,

Mother Angela