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St. Luke’s
Institute
Wednesday
of the 3rd Week of Ordinary Time
January 30,
2013
THE PLANTING +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
The flowers and plants in my gardens at home
thrive, but that wasn’t always the case
Ø
In grade school I was assigned a science project
to sprout melon seeds by soaking a strip of cloth, sticking it around a wide
mouthed jar and carefully inserting melon seeds between the glass & wet
cloth
o
I watched and reported the progress of the
seeds as they sprouted and grew up and out of the glass jar
o
Finally, they were ready to be planted
outside
o
I was thrilled as I turned in my class
report and then planted my young charges outside
THE CALAMITY +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
But I was too busy being a 12-year old kid and I
didn’t take care of my charges well
Ø
Some sprouts died because I didn’t water them
regularly, some were eaten by rabbits because I hadn’t secured the chicken wire
o
Applying parable, I was planted on rocky
ground
o
I had the initial excitement and fervor for
my class project, but I did not have the wherewithal to bring my plants through
to bloom or harvest
THE CURE +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
I’ve learned a lot about flowers and plants
since then
Ø
Last summer, 60 years after my class project, I
found myself sitting and enjoying my beautiful, well-tended flower gardens
Ø
How get to that sense of enjoyment &
satisfaction?
o
By learning about how flowers and plants not
only grow but thrive
o
By asking people w/ beautiful gardens for
their secrets
o
And by being present and attentive to the
daily needs of my 3 gardens
MY SPIRITUAL LIFE ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Today I need to tend my spiritual life the same
way. I desire to be the rich soil in which God’s Word is planted:
Ø
By engaging myself in the celebration of the Eucharist
Ø
By going to periods of lengthy silence with a
love and a desire for God
Ø
By learning from folks who’ve mastered
contemplative prayer
o
Jesus assures that a life of union with him
has everything to do with how a garden grows
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
