Gardens of Blessings
This reading from John’s gospel is lovely in its intimacy and simplicity.
A garden draws lovers. Lovers go to gardens to admire, to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. Lovers wander through gardens to enjoy the quiet, solitude and the presence of their beloved. A garden welcomes intimate serious conversation, hand holding and the casual kiss. Gardens somehow promote and encourage intimacy. Gardens often have inconspicuous gardeners.
Reading scripture, we come across three prominent gardens. In Genesis we hear of the “Garden of Eden”. A garden rich with the fragrance and colorful foliage of fruit bearing trees. A garden gifted to Adam and Eve for their enjoyment and their care. They are the gardeners. In Genesis (3:8) we hear of “…God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, (sounds so inviting) and the man and his wife hid themselves…” God calls to them “Where are you?” That God and Adam and Eve come to the garden at the same time - coincidentally? We might image they met here at the end of each day to walk together “…in the garden at the time of the evening breeze…”. This speaks of friendship, and intimacy.
A garden of lovers. Yet, a garden of betrayal.
The second prominent garden we hear about is the garden of Gethsemane. Today it is a small shady space with well-kept ancient olive trees. Some possibly going back to the time of Jesus. There is a gardener who tends the trees. There are benches for visitors and pilgrims to rest and pray. It is usually quiet and serene. Guests seem respectful of its history. This is the garden to which Jesus brought his closest and most intimate friends. His disciples whom he loved. Another garden for lovers: Jesus and his apostles and Jesus and his father, Abba. We can prayerfully imagine Jesus out of weariness, possibly anxiety, fear and a deep sense of loss kneeling in prayer. Possibly he wept sorrowfully over Jerusalem. In my prayer, I watch and weep with Jesus as he voices his heart wrenching regret at not being able to reach each one with his tender merciful love.
A garden of lovers. A garden of sorrow and longing. Yet, a garden of betrayal and abandonment.
The third prominent garden, I am calling the Garden of Resurrection. In the Spiritual Exercises Ignatius invites us to contemplate, prayerfully imagine Jesus’ first post resurrection appearance being to his mother, Mary. Of course, Jesus would first appear to his mother – who else? We can only imagine that intimate reunion. And so we should – prayerfully imagine it. The second appearance was to Mary (John 20:11-18). Mary went to Jesus’ tomb. The tomb was empty. Jesus was gone. “Mary stood weeping…she turned and saw Jesus…but she did not know it was Jesus…(Mary) supposing him to be the gardener…Jesus said to her Mary!” Jesus called her by name “Mary” and she knew him.
Another garden of tender intimacy. Yet, this time a garden off fulfilled, overflowing love and tenderness. Jesus is intimately reunited with his mother and one of his faithful followers. Jesus will continue to reunite with his followers in intimate love and tenderness.
Jesus spoke her name. The Lover tenderly greeting his beloved, calling her by name. “Mary”.
Who calls your name intimately, tenderly? Whose name do you speak in love? I invite you to listen in the silence of your heart for Jesus calling your name. The Beloved speaking the name of the loved one, speaking your name. Listen.
Easter
Season
Blessings
-- I call
your
name.
Joan Blandin Howard
After working and teaching at Creighton for many years, I am officially retired, but hardly so. Having 5 adult children, in-laws, and 11 grandchildren I keep pretty busy! My husband and I spend hours in our garden planting, pruning, dead-heading and of course weeding and mowing! We spend even more time sitting in our garden, delighting in its beauty. The beauty overwhelms me and invities me into a space of en-Joy-ment and gratitude to the Creator and Artist of all. I have much for which to be grateful. I also like to travel, read, write and make art. My ministry of spiritual direction and silent retreats continues.
I count my blessings. You among them.
Initially I thought I was writing for myself. I use the readings as a source of personal prayer. I thoroughly enjoy the time I spend in prayer, study and preparation. The writing seems to be a natural end product. The wonderful e-mails I receive tell me that I am not writing just for me and they reconfirm my faith in the presence of the Lord, who speaks all languages, permeates untold experiences, and surfaces in the most ordinary of daily delights and disturbing distractions. That the Lord would speak through me is a gift I had not anticipated.
I thank you, the reader and fellow pilgrim, for joining us on our journey. God bless us.
