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A couple of years ago in a visit to 6-8 year-olds in a primary school the reflection I had offered was followed by the teacher asking if any of the children had questions for me.
I’ve noticed over the years that adults are rather predictable at question-time and it’s relatively easy to predict the questions which will come. But children are a different matter.
Adults will connect their question to the theme of the input, but kids, well their questions can come from left field and even from another ball-park altogether.
In this Winton (Southland) class a young boy asked: “If you were our teacher, what would you teach us?”
I wasn’t expecting that and quickly realised that this young man was sharp and deserved much better than a cliche answer.
Over the years I have delighted in growing some of my own vegetables, and realised that there is nothing tastes better than food from my own garden so I responded that I would try to teach them the wonderful art of having a vegetable garden, and the delight of eating what we plan and grow from seed or seedling.
I have no doubt that most homilies for this Fourth Sunday of Lent will focus on the wonderful Gospel parable of the Loving Father with his sons prodigal and proud. But I wrote about this last week and you can read my reflection at this link. You can also hear this week’s Homily Studio Podcast at this link.
Other preachers in parishes where the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is in progress will probably focus on the Year A Gospel of the resuscitation of Lazarus.
But it’s the vege garden that I’m savouring because of the link in today’s first reading from the book of Joshua.
It’s an important text, the homecoming after that great saga lasting several generations from Joseph’s brothers selling him into slavery to Joshua leading the People of God to the land of promise (and all the wonderful ups and downs on the way) today the people are home and therefore they feel like a People once again:
Send your date and time to add to the list, and just turn up at at one of the advertised gatherings, just one hour, focussing on where we are encountering Christ.
CHRISTCHURCH
Monday 30 March 10.00am (& every Monday)
Moku cafe, Bush Inn Centre Waimairi Road.
Invitation from Trish
KAPITI COAST
Monday 31 March 11am
The Cafe at Harrison’s 23 Peka Peka Rd, Waikanae beach.
Invitation from Catherine
NEW PLYMOUTH
Wednesday 2 April, 10.00am,
Stumble Inn, 200 Mangorei Road New Plymouth
Invitation from Joan
I agree, gardening is so good for us, body and soul. I like to grow hierloom varieties of fruits and vegetables, things I cannot buy in a store. (I can’t compete with the price and quality of store-bought carrots with my garden, but I can grow ones that aren’t orange!) St Fiacre, patron of gardeners, pray for us.
It took me by surprise that, “they tasted unleavened bread and roasted corn” the simplest of food. God, our Father looks after us and this reminds us that simple is good.
I agree there is nothing better than growing your own food & then eating it. It requires effort but reaps rewards. Similar to our relationship with God.
Our Father owned a lager garden in which he worked every spare moment. To get his attention I would fain interest in vegetables and how they came to grow. He sold vegetables to the neighborhood for a little extra money and simply because he loved sharing his crop. My sister and I were employed going house to house selling the supply. One year he had a great crop of strawberries, and I was sent to sell them. At one house when I arrived the daughter of the house called out to her mother hey mum here comes the strawberry girl It was an idyllic childhood which cultured in me a sense of the sacred in the garden encounter with my father and appreciation of where food comes from and the earth we need to nature and protect. Every child needs a garden experience to keep themselves earthed while discovering the sacred. Unfortunately, I am a failed vege grower no commitment, just wishful hope.
Richard, I have a small statue of St Fiacre by my little herb garden .I love the idea of him taking care of my plants!Bev Hill
Before conversion (hehe “BC”), we crave independence — doing things our own way. But after encountering God, stepping into the ‘promised land’ can feel scary. Suddenly, we miss the manna — the signs and miracles we got used to. Just like the Israelites in the desert who once longed for the food of Egypt, even when God was feeding them from heaven. Why is it so easy to forget what He’s done, or to resist the growth He’s calling us into?!
I just wanted to share that I really prayed about this yesterday, especially during Mass, and I truly thank and praise God for answering me in two clear and beautiful ways.
Even before the response came, I saw a car with the word ‘Humble’ on it — a gentle confirmation of Saturday’s Mass readings that had been on my heart. Then came a second affirmation of the Laetare message through a prayer from the Society of the Little Flower that spoke directly to what I had been praying earlier:
“When the special manna ceases, we get scared, Nurturing God. Yet You present new challenges in the journeys and hungers of our lives. Help us to eat deeply and digest the opportunities You present us. Help us to trust You as the God Who embraces us in Christ and who reconciles all gaps and divisions within and among You and ourselves. Even when we create rifts, when we squander our resources in the land of promise, You are the Faithful Father waiting anxiously for us to come home. Help us to wake up, admit our foolish mistakes, and humbly return to You. Humble us not to be like the older brother, trapped in righteousness. Give us Your welcoming, non-judgmental heart. Your unconditional forgiveness is awesome. I am humbled as I see You running breathlessly down the detours of my wandering heart to embrace and welcome me. Thank You!”
Amen — hallelujah!