Garden of Grace

St. Mark, Evangelist

Gardens have great theological importance in Holy Scripture. There was, of course, the Garden of Eden, idyllic but the scene of human disobedience. There was the Garden of Gethsemane, a place of prayer and betrayal. There was the garden of Jesus' tomb, a place of the dead that becomes the place where the seed of resurrection breaks forth.

So, it seems wonderfully apropos that St. Mary's-in-the-Valley, Ramona should be planting a garden in Eastertide. But this is not just any garden. Their garden is for the community, so that those who do not have space to plant their own crops for food can do so. It is all at once, sharing the good news, community building and outreach. Indeed, it is also about spiritual care. It connects the people of St. Mary's and those for the wider community that plant there a place to connect with God's creation and be fed. I suspect that through the gifts of the Holy Spirit many may just meet Jesus in this garden.

Article from the Ramona Journal: http://www.ramonajournal.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=88&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=1130&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=2828&hn=ramonajournal&he=.com