Monday, March 07, 2011

West Kentucky Anglicans: Daffodils




Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (Matt 6:28-29)

Last Thursday and Friday found me driving the country roads of western Kentucky and Tennessee in search of the wild daffodils that bloom this time of year. They grow along the sides of roads or at the edges of woods. They are a late winter flower and mark the transition from winter to spring. Their bright yellow flowers I equate with Easter although they will be gone by Easter-day—seven weeks from this past Sunday.

As I drove through the countryside, I noticed that many of the field were green with the young winter wheat—another sign of the approach of spring. I found myself singing one of my favorite Easter carols.

Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain, wheat that in the dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been;
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

In New Orleans Carnival is in full swing. Parade floats are rolling through the streets. Mardi Gras madness has engulfed the city and revelers have taken to the streets. In recent years they have caroused even into Lent. I do not miss Carnival. I prefer to observe Shrove-tide.

On Ash Wednesday I will read the Commination after Morning Prayer and the Litany.

To read more, clck here.

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