Yoda goes gardening and looks after hedgehogs! Reflection 5th May 2024

Yesterday was May 4^th and it has become widely known as Star Wars Day – ‘May the Fourth be with you.’  I noticed several posts on Facebook with this theme.  (And posted myself, I am not a total Star Wars nerd, but I do like the films)

Of course, each day of the year carries a specific designation, most often several such designations. Some of these are very odd, or quirky, and others are far more serious. 

For example, we recently had Earth Day on the 22^nd April.  And today sees the beginning of ‘hedgehog week.’  https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/hedgehog-awareness-week-5th-11th-may-2024/

One other designation on the 4^th May that went slightly under the radar was the ‘International Naked Gardening Day.’  https://nationaltoday.com/naked-gardening-day/

With the awful weather we have been having I know many gardeners (to say nothing of struggling farmers) have been very frustrated at trying to find time to get out into the garden.  I have just taken the opportunity of a decent afternoon (but sadly now clouding over) of cutting the grass and doing some general tidying up – suitably clad I might add!

At St Oswald’s this morning we had our All-Age Worship, and we are continuing to explore Jesus’ parables in Matthew’s Gospel.  Today we had a well-known parable from Matthew 13. 18-23.  (And also, in Mark and Luke) The parable of the Sower.

One of the things Star Wars fans will do on the fourth of May will be to watch the films again, maybe their favourite, or go in for a full feast and watch them all.  Despite knowing the story, they still have that desire to engage with the story again, and often, again and again!

When it comes to parables like The Sower, I find I have to really pull myself up. I have used this story so many times and done a variation of the Riding Lights sketch in some many places and contexts.  Might that be the same for you? Do you also need to purposefully re-engage when you hear familiar stories and parables from Scripture? Do we think we have exhausted every possible understanding. (And here I would recommend Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi Paperback – 28 Oct. 2015 by Amy-Jill Levine) 

The ’take away’ from today’s exploration was a call to examine our hearts and to acknowledge whether our hearts were shallow and our love of Jesus wasn’t deep rooted. Or were our heats distracted by cares and concerns, by seeking after the world’s trinkets.  Or had we wandered off into rocks and stones, following a well-worn path, where any care and concern for the things of God would quickly get trampled upon. Truth be told, we all probably have some aspects of these within our hearts and lives. However, the obvious thing about gardening is that it needs constant attention. The weeds, pulled up, the stone cleared away and the soil fed and rejuvenated.  So it is with the life of the Christian. As Alan Redpath said in his book ‘The Making of a Man of God,’ ‘The conversion of the soul is the miracle of the moment, the manufacture of a saint is the task of a lifetime.’  

And as random as it may sound, engaging with hedgehog week could be part of that. After all, we are called to care for all of God’s creation. Although I might suggest it's probably best to keep your clothes on!