During the coming week 200,000 people will be attending the National Ploughing Championships at Stradbally, Co.Laois. For lots of people it is an annual fixed day in their diary and they wouldn’t miss it for anything. As it falls each year at the September equinox, there is a sense of a turning point. Autumn is taking a firm hold and a day at the Ploughing is seen as one of the last big days out before the winter kicks in. Ploughing goes back as far as history has been recorded and represents one of the major advances in agriculture. Its main purpose is to turn over the upper layer of the soil, bringing fresh nutrients to the surface, while burying weeds and the remains of previous crops underneath. It also aerates the soil and allows it to hold moisture better.

Ploughing has also many spiritual connections too. We are encouraged to plough or turn over old hurts, mistakes, regrets and all forms of negativity. In our Gospels Jesus was constantly encouraging many to let the past go, not to hold onto negative burdens and instead to be open to new beginnings. Just like a newly ploughed field, there is no going back, only make the most of what’s in hand. Is there anything in my life that I need to let go of and turn over? We pray that we will always be open to the benefits, blessings and possibilities that come with every new beginning.

Thought For The Week is updated each Monday