So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. Matthew 13:26
The weather was perfect for planting on Saturday and finally I felt the time was right to transplant my young seedlings into my herb garden. With our little Mandy beside me, I readied the soil and looked at these beautiful, green, but fragile, parsley, basil, rosemary and chive plants, all the while envisioning them into full bloom and as part of mouthwatering dishes. I wondered how they would fare this year. Last summer did not bode well for my herbs. Weather conditions did not continue to nurture them, as always in the past. But perhaps it was more than that. There were days I was not as attentive as I could have been; too many weeds were then allowed to grow around them! Remembering this made me work a little harder with the soil, getting dirt under my fingernails and making my back hurt. But I knew it was the only way to at least give them a good, solid start. So many things affect growth . . . for plants and for all of us.
Two weeks ago, four of our Grandchildren, nervously, excitedly and most of all, with childlike awe and reverence, received their First Holy Communion. Needless to say, these were awe-inspiring, tear producing events for all the adults involved. The children’s Masses took place on opposite sides of our State. Despite the distance to be travelled and the extenuating circumstances that affected some of those involved, the outpouring of attendance and love that surrounded these children, were a testament to the devotion, love and Faith of their family members. And like the daily watering and weeding, necessary for young plants to thrive, the nurturing of the fragile faith of these children will also require the continued outpouring of love of family, participation at Mass, and learning about our God. But as important will be the weeding out of things that will inhibit their participation and growth in these areas. It will require attentive parents and loved ones to do so, often requiring the rolling up of sleeves and getting hands dirty and backaches in the process. Continued growth in faith requires the same of all of us.
We are fragile souls, so influenced by what we are exposed to day in and day out both good and bad. We are surrounded by the weeds in our society and in some relationships that can readily choke out the good that has been planted within us. Hold on with hope, so when the season of harvest comes upon each one of us, that faith which struggled in the process of growing, (and isn’t that all of us?) will blossom into fruit that will be full, lush and green; with all the weeds eradicated. Most of all hold on to the One who fills us with hope, who nurtures our spirits, who shows us the way!
You nurture our growth a little more each day, Lord. Sometimes though, when evidence of growth is not visible to others, misconceptions of us are made. They too are weeds that can strangle our progress if allowed to continue. Help us to be attentive to what is inhibiting our journey toward you.
Copyright© 2015 Kathleen A. Matson