«I retrace in my memory - wrote Blessed John Paul II - the stages of my existence, which is intertwined with the history of much of this century, and I see the faces of countless people emerge, some of whom are particularly dear to me: they are memories of ordinary and extraordinary events, of happy moments and events marked by suffering. Above all, however, I see the provident and merciful hand of God the Father reaching out, who "takes the best care of all that exists" and "whatever we ask of him according to his will he listens to us". To Him I say with the psalmist: “You have taught me, O God, from my youth and even today I proclaim your wonders. And now, in old age and gray hair, O God, do not abandon me, until I announce your power and your wonders to all generations."
In this summer period for many people it is more necessary than ever to bring out the spiritual energy hidden in the soul. Let's not forget that in each of us there is a reservoir of joy from which we are invited to draw with enthusiasm.
The bow stretched by the usual occupations that give life a crash course needs to relax, unwind, do something different. A source of wisdom that we imagine as serious and staid as the great St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that the element that makes the soul rest is pleasure, the satisfaction in doing things, in cultivating a hobby. «It is necessary to remedy the fatigue of the soul - St. Thomas writes - by granting it some pleasures that interrupt the tension of the spirit».
Elderly people do not run the risk of getting involved in the frenzy of the forced rhythms that tourist agencies impose. So loosening the tension in the span stretched by commitments consists in carving out days with a quieter breath that allows us to enjoy serenity and peace. It offers us a time for reading, a walk in the greenery of a forest, an opportunity to dedicate ourselves to prayer without the usual rush, a confident and relaxing prayer, «a praise to God which - as Saint Augustine says - contains joy and a supplication that contains a concern" to be delivered to divine goodness".
Holiday time away from the "hit and run" hides many subtle satisfactions and the time of silence offers the opportunity to discover unsuspected spiritual harmonies.
We must convince ourselves that in every person there is a mine of pleasure resources capable of giving us joy in living.