so we read in the first selection from scripture today.
So we heard from the Book of Deuteronomy
as the people of the Exodus
entered from slavery
into the promise of full humanity.

The themes today at this liturgy for Reveley
are themes of creation
of earth and sky and sea.

These are themes of seed planting and the mystery
of green, growing, and fruitful things.

God is the gardener.

We are his fellow workers,
bringing beauty to enjoy
in growing things
and blossoming people.
It's a miracle.

It was a miracle each spring
when Reveley's love and expertise
burst forth in lovely things.

It was a miracle each day
as God used this person
to plant seeds of beauty and warmth
in the people all around her.

It is a miracle of God
that she does so still.

Today's readings from holy scripture
are from a set (we call them "Propers"),
used by the church
on Rogation Days.

These days were first appointed
as an official observance
by Queen Elizabeth, in the 16th Century.

She called her church faithful to honor God
for the beauty and service
of growing things
which give us pleasure
and an abundance of food.

So, it is not surprising
that the family and I
thought of them when seeking appropriate passages
for this celebration of the life of God
as seen in Reveley Moore.

In the appointed gospel
we find Jesus doing what he often did,
- telling the short, pithy stories we call parables,
to illustrate faithful living.

He told of planting seed in the ground.
All we have to do is scatter the seed, he said,
and then just watch.

First there is the little stalk,
then it heads, then there is grain,
and we have food in abundance.
What a miracle of God!

But, have you ever considered
the deeper miracles of God? he asks.
For, God acts also to bring his people
into full humanity, the love of God
and the abundant life.

You don't always notice
because you are not looking for it,
but it is like the seed sown in the field.

Look for God acting in human hearts
in the same way the farmer watches his planted seed.

If you do, you will find first, the stalk,
and then the head,
and then the wondrous result,
as God's Will is done on earth
as it is in heaven.

The second parable, about the mustard seed,
teaches that it doesn't take much
if we plant the seed and expect God to do his work.

It doesn't take much
to find a life-changing result.

The tiniest seed in the garden
can become a giant tree
such that the birds of the air
can roost in its branches.

But, Jesus wasn't talking about trees.
He was talking about you and about me.

He was talking about our being aware
of the seeds of God,
the signs of God's Love
the harbingers of God's Kingdom
which we can perceive in the special people
God has given us for our journey on this earth.

God gave us Reveley for 65 years.
Reveley did a lot of things on God's behalf,
that is the purpose of each of us.

Reveley did her garden well
and it blossomed.
Reveley did her work with Ladew Gardens well
and it blossomed.
Reveley did her work with the Board of Hollins College well - and it blossomed.

Reveley did a lot of things well
but none of those things
were important or enduring
in and of themselves.

What is the object
- what is induring, what is of God's Will
is that in working toward beauty in creation,
she planted the seeds of beauty in human hearts,
and those seeds will continue to germinate
for years and years.

The shoots will grow
the head form
and God's love will spill out in abundance.

Reveley's work was to be God's gardener
in her arena of life
and around the people of this place,
and she did her work well.

So, notice, don't let God down.
Enjoy
and begin your own Garden for God.

In the 2nd reading, Paul writes,
"As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility meekness, and patience…

Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly;
teach and coach one another in all wisdom;
and with gratitude in our hearts
sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.

And, whatever you do, in word or deed,
whatever you do,
do it in the name of the Lord Jesus
giving thanks to God the Father.