The Parish Church of St. Matthew, Highfield, Wigan

Lent - the season of the seed

“Every man,” said the late Harry Wheatcroft, “reaps what he sows - except the amateur gardener.” Such a remark makes us smile because we are painfully aware of its truth. Those experts on the TV make it all look so easy. They grow fantastic vegetables and beautiful flowers all arranged in immaculate, weed-free beds. Just to hear them talk is an inspiration. They make it sound so easy. Yet however hard the rest of us try we seldom seem to get quite the same results.

For most of us it’s the same with the Christian life. We end up sometimes feeling that our results have fallen short of what was promised on the packet of seed. Lent is the season of the seed. A time for Christ to grow within us gently and securely in the seedbed of an inner faith.

There are two factors which are essential to all growth and development: the right conditions, and patience. For Christ to grow in us this Lent we need to ensure the right conditions: we must remove all that might hinder us from complete unity with him. “Prepare a way for the Lord.” said John the Baptist. How can we do this? How can we smooth a way for him in our hearts? It’s not a question of a complete re-landscaping, but rather a steady hoeing to remove all those personal failings that cause so many daily ups and downs. And those weaknesses that cause a chilly atmosphere in our homes and where we work. To let Christ grow we need to learn to see things from other peoples’ point of view during Lent.

The second essential needed for growth and development is patience. It is no good making an apple pie with great care and then putting it in the oven for ten minutes and expecting it to be cooked. It will simply be half-baked, which is what we so often end up being because we don’t give ourselves time. We can’t force the growth. The seed of faith and hope in Christ within us also needs time to grow.

We need time to be reconciled to our heavenly Father, time to heal the wounds we have inflicted upon others, time to learn how to cope with ourselves. It is a time for the sacrament of reconciliation. A time to clear the debris in our minds and in our lives which could choke the seedling growing within.

As we begin the work in the garden this month preparing for Spring let us not neglect our spiritual preparations for Easter.

May God bless all your preparations throughout Lent,

Bob

Page last modified: 11 March 2004