From Death to Life

Written by Stephanie Bowman, Associate Chaplain, Felician Village Mission Department

In mid-April we had a string of beautiful warm days and I jumped at the chance to get out and work in my flower beds. Spring always reminds me of the promise of resurrection as I clear out last season’s dried leaves and dead blooms and witness the new green shoots poking their heads out of the soil. Our world is designed around the pattern of death and new life. Trees age and when they die and fall to the ground they become fertile soil where new trees may grow and be nourished. Forest fires create death and destruction but they also bring forth new growth. Jesus himself said, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24) We know that physical death will be a reality for each of us at some point. Sometimes we may wonder if our lives have made a difference to others. Yet, each of us plant countless seeds over the course of a lifetime: the seeds of love, kindness, forgiveness, patience, lessons taught, and cherished values. We may not live to see the harvest from the seeds we have planted but even after we are gone, those seeds will continue to grow and bloom and bear fruit in the world. What a beautiful reminder of resurrection hope that even when things seem barren, dark and hopeless new life can still come! As you get out into your own gardens and flower beds this spring (or simply enjoy your neighbor’s!), think about those tiny seeds, which on their own don’t have much value. It is only after those seeds are buried that they can burst forth with glorious new life. Thanks be to God our Gardener, creator of seeds and bringer of resurrection hope. Alleluia!