Gleanings

 

This year I started a new job here at our monastery. I became the gardener for the interior patio. I expected to like the work. I had helped Sr. Mariana for a couple of seasons beforehand and still depend upon her wisdom and experience for advice and methods. But I had never seriously planted anything much before, at least anything that actually grew up to be something. So now as I see the abundance of color and lots of foliage, I am amazed and proud.

 

It’s rewarding to hear the Sisters talk about how much the beauty of the garden lifts their spirits. We certainly have had limited opportunities for “new growth” of any kind during this year and a-half of Covid-induced isolation. Those who keep an eye on things in the patio discover something new everyday: an emerging tiny bud, an expanding blossom, visiting birds and butterflies, greenery that exceeds all expectations and some plants that are already completing one phase of their life cycle for the year, providing us with a metaphor for the Paschal Mystery.

 

The garden has taught me. (Mostly about the weeding needed in life.) I offer the following verse as an example of nature’s lessons that make me smile:

 

Yesterday's Blossoms

     have turned to brown.

I would have preferred them to keep

so that every flower

     might be glorious together.

But that is not the way.

And so, I treasure

     each

     in turn.

 

May the Spirit of God in me reflect the beauty and wisdom of this day!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

 

Until I did a bit of research on the title of this blog, I only knew it as a line from an English nursery rhyme. I had no real idea of its history, but it is interesting if you are curious. I only intended to write something about the pleasure I get from our small community garden!

One theory is that the bells represent the Sanctus bells at Eucharist. Another is that the cockleshells are the badges of the pilgrims to the shrine of St. James in Spain. A third is that the bells referred to Mary, the first, of England who could not bear children. Wikipedia can provide more info if you are curious.

Our garden is rather small and enclosed by a wire fence that keeps the deer from eating whatever each prefers. We have tomato plants, basil for making pesto, cucumbers to turn in pickles and the inevitable weeds. Best of all, it gets me outside during the day and evening!

"Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary"

Mary, Mary quite contrary

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells and cockleshells

And pretty maids all in a row.  

“

Having Faith in an Assumption

         We are counseled not to make assumptions about people. How is it then that one of the solemnities of the church goes by that very name, and is in itself an assumption?

        In 1946 Pope Pius XII gathered petitions received in the preceding 100 years about the Assumption of Mary, and then surveyed the bishops:

Do you, in your outstanding wisdom and prudence, judge that the bodily assumption of 
[Mary] can be proposed and defined as a dogma of faith? Do you, with your clergy and 
people, desire it?

It took until 1950 for the Assumption to be declared and defined as dogma. I was surprised to read that the pope had consulted so widely. A common practice in community life, but in the church in the 40’s and 50’s? Perhaps I am revealing my ignorance of hierarchical procedures.

The roots of the feast can be traced to the faith of the eastern church in Jerusalem. The feast was called the Dormition, or the falling asleep of Mary. Although there were no witnesses, no scriptural record, the Assumption became a commonly accepted belief. Within the biblical tradition, holy and unique individuals (like Elijah and Enoch) were taken bodily to heaven. Making this assumption about Mary has precedent in the church’s tradition.

        Germanus of Constantinople, reflecting the faith of the eastern church of the 7th-8th centuries, addresses Mary directly:

        Since you are the Mother of God, it was appropriate that you accept a death that was like sleep, undergo a translation like an awakening. It is fitting that you should be restored to the companionship of your Son.

        And in the 21st century, Pope John Paul II quoted the gospel of John as a scriptural basis for understanding the dogma of the Assumption:

        
        If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself, that where I am, you may be there also.

Sr. Christa Kreinbrink, OSB