I took this photo yesterday afternoon at Monkstown. It was such a lovely spring day with everything looking its best. The Magnolia Tree was in full flower and it flowers first and then the leaves follow. In a few short weeks all the trees will have their leaves out to remind us that spring is very much here. It will also concide lovely with Easter too.
Quote For Today
“I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in my garden.” ~Ruth Stout
Did you know
Magnolia Trees have actually been around for quite a long time, with fossils dating back 36 million to 58 million years ago.
My latest videos🎥
A Daily Prayer – short but sweet!
This is a recent video below and it is called ‘A Spring Prayer in Lent’.
With Lent having begun – this video underneath that I put together last year still has a very relevant message
If you would like to see a selection of my other videos on YouTube you are welcome to have a look at some of them here: https://www.youtube.com/@JamesMcSweeneyFr/videos
Spiritual Thought For The Week
Last week we had Martina Lehane Sheehan talking to us in Carrigaline, about the importance of slowing down, of finding quiet time in a world that spins with busyness. The words ‘I’m busy’ are almost seen as normal, almost with a status. Martina reminded us how our bodies are not made for constant busyness. They just can’t keep up no matter what our age. She talked about the monks and for centuries and centuries they have lived what they call ‘The Statio’. The Statio is where they pause between activities. It can be a moment of thanks, a moment of silence, a moment of prayer but the statio means the monks never get sucked into busyness.
Our scripture readings touches in on it too. When we put our trust in God, we are like the tree growing beside a stream. Even when the summer drought comes its roots have access to water and the tree flourishes. But you can’t flourish when you are busy, in fact the opposite happens you become stagnant, because your energy levels cannot match your busyness. Your body needs rest too. We need to find the balance.
The beautiful line from Psalm 23 becomes our inspiration: ‘Near restful waters God leads me to revive my dropping spirit’
