Continuing The Journey

By: Contributor Last Updated: March 18, 2010

Written by Father Michael

Thursday was the first day in four months that the temperature approached 70. continuing-the-journeyThe sun was out and the promise of spring was here. On my desk I have a planter full of blue, pink, white hyacinths and tulips. The sweet smell refreshes the stale winter air. It perks up the senses and adds spice to the daily routine.

The birth of the flowers also encouraged me to start my tomatoes from seed. So I have heirloom, large and small cherry and fireball tomatoes started, chives and fennel. They line my window sill in cups set in small tubs. Some of the seeds were so tiny I doubted that they were tomato seeds. Most I have experienced seemed to be larger but maybe the fact that they are dried account for their diminished appearance. The hope that these tiny seeds may produce an abundance of tasty fruit in a few weeks is what I have planted.

This morning at church the fathers of the kindergarten children accompanied them to our liturgy. It was another sign of hope and rebirth. These children are the hope of the future. They are lovingly tended by their fathers so that someday they will also lovingly tend their own children. The hope they represent is the hope that we have from our God. The Gospel story read Thursday, John 5:31-47, Jesus talks about His future and how His end will come. But in the story that is so appropriate for Lent, Jesus tells us how we can know the Father through the Son and the Son through the Father. It is in the good works that Jesus does that we can learn about God. Words cannot describe what God is and how much God loves us.

The good works of the fathers inspire their children and new seeds are planted. What is interesting to ponder is the good work that fathers were doing, how much did it inspire them? When we plant we also sow. Did the fathers also plant a seed in themselves that may bring them new life?

My act of planting my flower box also had me planting seeds. But more then that it had me spawned other things. The pleasure it gave all who smelled the sweetness of spring so intensely. It also reminded me of our awesome God and His promise of new life.