Posted by The WORD in other words (2009) by Fr Gil Alejandria SVD – Catholic Trade Manila
Thursday 34th Week in Ordinary Time
When I was assigned in our mission center in San Jose, Batangas, I was always fascinated by the gardens lovingly maintained by my companion Fr. Herminio “Among” Ricafort. There were various kinds of flowering plants and fruit bearing trees.
One thing I learned was that we are made aware of the time of the year by the blooming of certain flowers or the appearance of certain fruits. Thus, we would know it was February when a certain exotic hanging flower blooms; and we know it was September when the lanzones trees start to show fruits.
I enjoyed relaxing in this garden because to me it showed God’s providence and the orderliness of creation “signs that remind us that His salvation is at hand.” When I helped in the task of watering the garden, I begun to appreciate the “therapeutic effects” of gardening.
Looking back in time to that Batangas garden, it was a perfect place to go home to after saying masses in the parishes around the area and other activities we had. It was conducive to peaceful meditation.
Our Gospel spoke of tribulations, of people getting frightened by things happening around, and threats of calamities and desolation. In our country today, political scandals and economic tribulations cause so much anguish and anxiety among people.
It would be good to remind ourselves that in God we can always find a refuge, a “peaceful garden” that would shelter us and strengthen us. His signs of love are all around us…we only need to learn how to recognize them.
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