Walk in the Garden with Fr John Daly
Francis Bacon, the 17th Century English Philosopher and author once wrote, “A garden is the purest of human pleasures. It is the greatest refreshment to the spirit……….. indeed, planting a garden is as creative as it is deeply satisfying, and watching a garden grow affirms and reaffirms the renewal of life.”
Not everybody sees or experiences a garden in this way. For me my garden arouses gratefulness, as I see plants grow and display their beauty. In my garden beauty shows itself in a variety of ways --- fruit trees, vegetables, herbs, flowers, multi-coloured and multi-shaped succulents, shrubs and trees. Birds, butterflies, frogs, frilly lizards, goannas, and even possums and snakes visit the garden. (The last two are not so welcome).
It is the place where I find plenty of exercise; a place to share with friends; an invitation to the spiritual where I can pray and reflect and conduct parish reflection days. It’s where I gather friends for a glass of wine or two and get family together to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and for no special reason at all.
The art of gardening is a gift from my father who was a nursery man and encouraged us to plant and grow citrus, bananas, strawberries, all sorts of vegetables, roses, dahlias and many other things. Our back yard was covered with life. As we grew older, the back yard became our source of pocket money as we sold the fruits of the garden to neighbours.
Francis Bacon rightly observed that “watching a garden grow affirms and reaffirms the renewal of life.” A garden also renews one inwardly, slowly melting away tensions and anxiety.
Perhaps a healthy garden is a good image for a healthy Church!
John Daly
