This rose is called the Carrigafooka Rose. It is an old sweet smelling rose and such varieties are hard to come across today. Photo was taken at Altamount, Millstreet, Co.Cork

Thought for Tuesday

Both the Winter and the Summer Solstices are expressions of love. They show us the opposition of light and dark, expansion and contraction, that characterize our experiences, so that we can recognize our options as we move through our lives. ~Author Unknown

Tomorrow Wednesday (June 21st) we mark the longest day of the year. The biggest tilt towards the sun is at this time of year and it is possible to get 17 hours of sunshine in many parts of Ireland. But like everything to do with a summer in Ireland, it depends on the weather!

From a spiritual point of view we are always invited to tilt towards God and everything that is good and life giving. We are equally invited to tilt away from negativity, bitterness and darkness. Nature has worked out that balance over millions of years.

The invitation on the longest days of the year is to tilt even a little, to something good, positive and worthwhile in our lives. We remember the words of Jesus: “Come to me all who are weary and overburdened and I will give you rest.”