Daily Reflections ...

My wife is an amazing gardener. She notices when grubs attack plants, when flowers are wilting from lack of moisture and when plants need a boost with fertilizer. Even though she is both attuned and attentive to her garden, she still expresses delight when shrubs burst into bloom and flowers appear because she is surprised by their arrival. 

Just as the farmer marvels when the seed sprouts and grows because he does not know how it happens, so too, the intricate workings of nature are hidden from us yet reflect the power, beauty and goodness of the Creator. Job reminds us that, ‘in his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being’ (Job 12:10)

Despite amazing advances in science, technology and human knowledge, there is so much still that we do not understand about the human body and the ways of nature. In the face of such mystery, what do we do?

Like Job, do we acknowledge God as the source of all life and marvel at the extraordinary largesse of a Creator who daily paints beautiful sunsets on the horizon, decks the fields with wildflowers, fills the night skies with an array of stars and causes crops to grow we know not how.

‘In the words of his beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi, reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.’ Pope Francis Laudato Si (2015).

Today let us lift up our voices and hearts to praise and thank our Creator for the beauty and wonder of Creation. Amen.

by Mike Humphrys