Photo was taken at the Ploughing Championships at New Ross, Co.Wexford (Irl)

Transition Year students from Col√°iste Choilm, Ballincollig, enjoying the last day of the National Ploughing Championships yesterday at New Ross, Co.Wexford. Over 180,000 people attended the 3 day event, making it one of the largest agricultural shows in Europe.

Thought on Friday – September – 28/09/2012

‘Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.’ ~Seneca

The National Ploughing Championships came to an end yesterday making it one of the biggest rural events in Europe. The mud was still flowing but thankfully the day was dry and so many came along to enjoy a great day out. Listening to the variety of accents from all parts of Ireland yesterday ensured that every single county was well represented including Cork!

Ploughing goes back many thousands of years, right back to the time of Jesus. The need to turn over the old sod, to give way to new beginnings and new possibilities will always be with us. The same need is present in our own spiritual lives as well. How many of us hold onto unnecessary junk, old hurts and mistakes made? Many of these should have been turned over a long time ago.

There is never a need to turn the sod back over again because new life and growth quickly takes hold. God always invites us to turn things over and be open to freshness, life, energy and new beginnings. Some question their story so much, they doubt that God could make much difference. God has no boundaries and certainly no boundaries when it comes to forgiveness. Like the plough, the invitation is to turn over the old and unwanted in our lives and instead to be open to something new in our life, especially today.