The Spiritual Side of Vacation | The Rev. Susan E. Hill, Associate Rector

07.12.19 | Community, Pulpit Posts, World

Happy Summer! I am actually on vacation — I wrote this meditation last week before I left. I hope I’m having a fun and relaxing time! And I hope that you will get some time off as well this summer, even if it is just a long weekend or two.

As a spiritual director, I’m often asked to help my directees with their spiritual lives and prayer practices. Some of them are working on getting some prayer practices going, while others want to go deeper into the spiritual life they already have. Their practices might consist of daily prayers, scripture or devotional reading, silent meditation, long walks in nature, or any number of other kinds of disciplines that help them connect to God.

I find it fascinating, though, that many of them struggle to keep praying when they are on vacation! One of the main reasons people are challenged in starting or maintaining spiritual practices (just like more physical kinds of exercise!) is that they feel that they just don’t have time. Yet vacation is often when we have fewer time constraints, when we have much more freedom to set our schedule. So why don’t we keep on praying, or reading scripture, etc?! Perhaps we feel we need a vacation from our faith (and/or from God?)! Or for those of us vacationing with family, there may be a shortage of quiet/alone time. Or maybe it is just that we are out of our usual routine, and so it doesn’t even occur to us to keep up our spiritual practices.

Whatever the reason, please allow me to push back gently! Keeping prayer and other spiritual practices going during vacation can lead to a deepening and increasing richness in our lives. Without the usual bustle and distractions of our lives, we may find unexpected dimensions to our faith. Even if there is a shortage of alone time, bringing some meditative intentionality to everyday tasks like brushing your teeth or doing dishes can be fruitful. And there is great spiritual benefit in having fun, benefit that can enliven our prayer practices as well!

Finally you might spend some time with one of my favorite prayers from our Book of Common Prayer (p 825):

For the Good Use of Leisure
O God, in the course of this busy life, give us times of
refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our
leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds, that our
spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen!

Rev. Susan Hill

Rev. Susan Hill

THE LATEST

Stay current on activity at the Soup Kitchen, guest stories, thoughts from Clergy, news and events.

Subscribe to receive the latest news, events, volunteer opportunities, and more — right to your inbox.

Church of the Holy Apostles

We are an open, inclusive Christian Church celebrating in the Episcopal tradition.

Sunday Service is held 11AM (on site and via livestream). Weekday services are held on Zoom.

LEARN MORE

For Newcomers

Learn about our faith community and explore ways to connect with our work and worship.

Sermons

Reflections on Holy Scripture from our Clergy.

History

Founded in 1844, with a focus on social activism and the desire for social justice.

Clergy, Staff & Vestry

The Vestry is the governing body of the Church of the Holy Apostles.

MUSIC

Music commands a strong presence at the Church of the Holy Apostles.

Space Rental

Host your next meeting or event in our landmark building.

Soup Kitchen & Pantry

Nourishing hungry New Yorkers since 1982 in an atmosphere of respect and hospitality.

LEARN MORE
Daily meal service

Serving a free, nutritious meal every weekday from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Meal outreach

Distributing bagged breakfasts and lunches throughout Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen.

About the soup kitchen

Learn more about our mission, our history, our performance, who we are, and what we do.

Pantry Program

Providing fresh and nutritious groceries to food-insecure New Yorkers.

Sunday Supper

Bridging generations and building community over a monthly family style meal.

Give Layers of Love this Winter

Help Keep Our Guests Warm this Winter.

Social Support

Meeting basic needs, stabilizing lives, and supporting individuals and families to achieve their goals.

LEARN MORE
SOCIAL SERVICES

Addressing the needs of the whole person through basic needs, counseling, and referrals.

Classes

Offering learning and skill-building opportunities.

Community Partnership

Partnering with others to expand the services offered to our guests.

Get Involved

Holy Apostles is a great place to channel your time, talents and generosity for good.

LEARN MORE
Volunteer

Make a difference in the lives of New Yorkers experiencing homelessness and hunger.

Partner

Join our efforts to serve others and provide for people who are vulnerable.

Donate

Your gift provides food, community, and hope to New Yorkers in need.

The Latest

Stay up-to-date on all happenings at Holy Apostles.

VIEW ALL
Food For The Soul

The official blog of Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen.

Voices of Our Community

Guest stories, poetry, and more.

EVENTS

See our calendar of events.

Church Pulpit Posts

Read weekly meditations written by our clergy.

Newsroom

Holy Apostles in the news.