21st Sunday after Pentecost, Octoechos Tone 4; Holy Martyrs Acepsimas the Bishop (378), Joseph the Priest and Aithalis the Deacon (379); Dedication of the Church of the Holy Great Martyr George in Lydda, Where His Precious Body is Entombed
Read
Galatians 2:16-20; Luke 8:5-15
When I offered help one time at a small farm (St. Benedict’s), I was asked to weed the corn. They were young corn shoots and I really couldn’t use a hoe or any other instrument. I had to get on my hands and knees and pull weeds out by hand. It was a very warm day and the no-see-ums were at their best. After a while, after I went through the usual what-did-I-get-myself-into woes, I began to realize that this work of my hands resembled the very work of weeding the garden of my soul. The field on which I was kneeling was once wonderfully tilled with no weeds whatsoever. Weeds come on the wind and get into that field. It needed my work in order to ensure that the planted seed would thrive. My soul, once wonderfully tilled, has had the Word of God planted in it. And I must continually keep on top of the weeding. I don’t want the things and concerns of this world to trample down what has grown. I don’t want some initial growth only to have it blown in the wind of some ideology or ism that comes along.
How do I weed the garden of my soul? Just like any other garden—with long-suffering and patience and doing an honest job of attending to it. Time in prayer, time in conversation with the Lord, time serving others, time contemplating His Word, time spent in adoration and wonder, time of leaving the concerns of this world apart and seeking the world to come.
How does your garden grow?