However, this fear of persecution stopped with the Edict of Milan in 313, when the ruler Constantine proclaimed religious tolerance. Then, in 321, he declared Sundays a day of rest for both Christians and non-Christians throughout the empire.

On this day, many people in the towns chose to attend games, activities, sporting events and other performances. Yet, the early Christians had a choice to make: would they join the rest of the townspeople enjoying the spectacles in the city or would they find time to worship the Lord by choosing to participate in their rituals?

Although today we live in very different times, we are still faced with a similar choice.

On Sundays we can easily find activities to do. We can go shopping, we can see a movie or attend a concert or sporting event. However, our decisions are not merely about obeying or disobeying one of the Ten Commandments: “Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy.” The question is: are we willing enough to find time for God not just on Sundays, but also each and every day? We are challenged to put God first in our lives. 

Summer vacation has come to an end and the school year has begun. Perhaps it was easier to attend Mass or to set aside time to pray during the summer when the pace of life was slower. Or on the contrary, maybe we almost forgot about God during this time. However, we can take the start of the school year as a new beginning. We can challenge ourselves to put God first at home, at school, at work, on vacation and everywhere.

How can we include God in our lives? Maybe we will promise to attend Mass each Sunday or to say grace as a family before a meal. Or maybe we will start and end each day with a simple prayer thanking the Lord for all that we take for granted and asking for help in remembering Him throughout the day in our words and actions.

Putting God first does not necessarily mean doing anything dramatic, nor does it only involve attending Mass. We can also put God first through simple actions that demonstrate God’s love and forgiveness, such as smiling, visiting someone who is lonely or offering a patient ear to someone in need.

In such a fast-paced and technologically advanced society, it can be difficult to reserve time for our relationship with the Lord.

God is with each of us at all times. He does not take a summer vacation or get too busy with work so that relationships are neglected. The only issue that arises is whether we will be able to hold up our end of the relationship. Will we choose to welcome God into our lives?

(Gagliano, 19, is a life sciences student at the University of Toronto.)