As we pass through the heart of summer, we have a perfect opportunity to check on the health of our spiritual lives.

It is the perfect opportunity because we profess that we always put Jesus first. We seek to live the whole of our lives according to God’s Word and our Catholic faith. Do we really do so, and all year round?

Summer in some ways can present a special challenge to our faith commitment. For some, the kids are out of school and that changes the rhythm of the household. While not everyone can afford to take a vacation, many in some way or other take advantage of the summer for a few days off. And many are able to pack the suitcase or the car and go on summer vacation. In any case, the question becomes, how do we fit Christ and our faith into the changes of our summer routine?

To be with Jesus always has a special connection to our attendance at Sunday Mass. It is hard to escape the sense that, for many, Mass is a sacred obligation.

That is, of course, fine as far as it goes. Being with Jesus at Mass does more for our souls, our families and the world than we could ever imagine, even if our understanding or motivation is less than perfect.

But in a healthy spiritual life, Mass is more than just the fulfillment of a religious duty. The Mass makes present to us, in a spiritual but real way, the Last Supper and the sacrifice of the cross on Good Friday.

Who of us would ever turn down an invitation to join the Apostles at the Last Supper? Who would ever say no to standing with Mary at the foot of the cross?

The Book of Revelation describes the heavenly worship of those who have already reached where we hope to be, heaven itself. Mass is part of that worship.

In short, Mass is part of the personal union with Jesus that we have been made for. Our joy and the fulfillment of faith is to worship at Mass each week.

So in late July, we should check ourselves. Have I or the family missed Mass without a sufficient reason this summer? Did I make the effort even on vacation to find the nearest church, check its Mass schedule, and then arrange to go?

Parents, have you shown your spouse and your children the importance of the Mass by attending with them throughout the summer and even on vacation?

A second check for our spiritual lives is the reception of the sacrament of confession. So many have adopted the practice of going to confession twice a year, at Christmas and Easter. Obviously this too is a good spiritual practice, especially when so many, sadly, never confess at all.

But with our lives being a constant battle against temptation and sin, confession, Christ’s forgiveness and the grace that we gain, is the best antidote to the infection of evil to which we are all exposed.

If we are not to live lives of spiritual minimalism, and if we are to break out of our normal routine into a deeper closeness to Christ, going to confession during the summer should be a must.

I am constantly heartened by the number of people who say how good and relieved they felt after going to confession. But I am further amazed by how many people who say they don’t confess more often to experience that holiness that comes from being forgiven.

Parents, again, have you gone with your spouse and children to confession this summer?

A final check for our faith and spiritual lives during the summer involves personal prayer. That would be the prayer outside of the Mass, the prayer when we have our own conversation with God, with Mary, with the saints.

If the summer routine slows down just a little do we fill some of that spare time with prayer? Perhaps it would be the rosary. Maybe it would be reading the Scriptures. Certainly it would be some regular moments of conversation with God.

Parents, do you take the time to pray with your spouse and children during the summer to help form this habit in them?

Especially since we live in the cold upper Midwest, we long all year for the summer season. But as St. Paul tells us, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. We need to be sure that summer does not do so either.

So, don’t forget sunscreen or prayer!