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Let Him Tend Your Garden

Written by

Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.

in

Acts 15:1-6 / Jn 15:1-8

Not everyone has a "green thumb" and most of us can't even keep a house plant alive and happy for more than a few months. But there is something wonderful about watching a talented gardener at work, snipping, pruning, watering, fertilizing – nurturing something alive and helping it to thrive. "I wish someone could do that for me," we may hear ourselves sigh.

Jesus answers that silent wish in today's gospel. He tells us that God our Father is the one who wants to do precisely that for all of us. What better mentor could we have than the Loving One who sees all and knows all and who dwells permanently at the center of our being? He speaks to us through the silence, from deep within. And for those who have learned to listen and to trust him, wisdom, peace, and joy await. At every juncture, he will guide our hand to the good, and will show us the way to draw forth the good even from evil.

Let him tend your garden. Let him be your mentor. It will change your life.

Comments

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    Guest

    Beautiful.  Thank you.  I printed this and read it during the day.  I love to grow flowers.  And I just became a mentor to a young Catholic girl in a correctional facility.  I was worried about how to talk to her for the first time.  Your homily reminded me of what is important.  Jesus.  He does speak within the silence, from deep within us.  I heard Him today.  I am going to put the printed copy of your homily in my Bible to remind me that it is Jesus who lives within us.  He is the mentor.  Not me.

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