It is one of the nice things about springtime, the day comes when a person starts to think about flowers and gardens and planting. It is the ancient call of the land that is heard on farms and houses, on acreages and small plots.
Whether one is going to plow up a field, or plant a community garden or just get dirty in some flower pots, spring is the time, and the weather itself just makes a person want to get out and get dirty.
So it is the day after Pentecost, a friend came over and we began to work on the deck outside the Christ the King rectory. We made a trip to the nursery for flowers and herbs. Several hours were spent wandering up and down the aisles looking for the right plants and color. My friend was searching for the flowers and I was on the hunt for herbs for summer cooking and grilling.
Then we ran to the store for a new hose and soil and then rolled up our sleeves and got to work. Tall fiery flowers were placed in pots in front of the statue of Saint Joseph in the front yard and flowers were put into a large pot on top of the deck. Large plants of basil, oregano, tarragon and sage were planted and placed on the south side of the building for light.
The fountain was plugged in and the rocks put around it and I even put some rabbit food under the deck, hoping that my little bunny friends who live there would leave my new flowers alone.
That night I stood on the deck and admired all the work. The flowers were opening and drinking in the water I had given them, I am sure the rabbits were eating happily and the bats in the rafters were squeaking in preparation for the arrival of mosquitoes.
I have to admit, it looks great out there. The fountain is bubbling and the birds are starting to come over to the feeder and the flowers are adding a wonderful splash of color to the gray granite area. But when I go out onto the deck, it is the tiki torches that I wonder about.
I wanted to get some tiki torches for the front deck, but my friend said he had some he was not using and he would bring them over. I took the five torches and placed them around the deck but there is something about them that was not working for me.
They seemed to stand out too much and just stood there, a few feet off the ground and they sort of blocked the view of the flowers. I was not sure why I wanted them.
That is until I lit them the first time. Oh my, there is something about those little splashes of light in the darkness. I simply sat on my big green deck chair and admired the flames as they flickered in the wind and cast a great glow over the newly planted flowers. Although the springtime call to get into the dirt is strong, I would think that equally strong is the old caveman call to get near the fire.
As I watched these flames flicker and burn and smoke on the days following the great feast of Pentecost, I thought about the tongues of fire and the wildness of the first apostles sent with fire’s wings into the world. It was a pretty dark world they entered into, but they took to heart the command given them, “Don’t be afraid.”
They shone brightly in that darkness and we still stand in the warm glow of their faith and their courage. We still breath in the Spirit’s power and presence and we are given that same fire at baptism. The flames that fill the darkness, these lights that pierce the clouds, are given to us as reminders and challenges.
The world can still seem pretty dark, there is still so much to do, so many who need to hear the power of joy that only we who follow Christ can bring. The light is ours and the mission is ours and the Spirit is ours.
During these warm and wonderful summer days, we will have the opportunity to see many flames. We will light campfires and bonfires, we will grill and, yes, even light up the tiki torches, and each of these flames will call us to remember who we are and what we need to do.
The world waits for us to share the Spirit’s gifts given to us, and each flickering flame is a reminder that today is the day to reach out, to share some love, to offer some forgiveness, to bring some joy, to be the Gospel’s fire for the world.