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!