Amidst all the chaos in the Church and in the world, some gardening is in order. It’s a food source in uncertain times. It’s a welcome bit of physical activity. But don’t think for a second that it is forgotten that wars are raging, refugees are suffering and dying, attacks on life and basic human dignity are ongoing, that there is ongoing confusion about doctrine and morality and liturgy and the spiritual life, that there are those here and there who are being denied the sacraments because of political CDC policies or, more likely, the policies of chancery rats and their overlords. The recitation of Hail Marys went up to heaven about all these things, with such melodies accompanying the gardening. And the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is just hours away!
Meanwhile, the wasp flew away as the dandelion was ripped out, the tomato patch soil prepared, the tomato cages put up, the asparagus patch cleaned up, the hoses laid out, green bean and sweet corn seed-packages and tomato seedlings bought. So much to do just in preparation. I love that. Although the dandelion took a hike, it gave place to very many flowers to come.
Meanwhile, today, just when I was going to send something off to the Holy See again about the Five First Saturdays of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my internet went down. I had to go to a Verizon store the next town over. This took quite a bit of the day. Always something. In the end, that something was sent off to the Eternal City.
Have you done the Five First Saturdays? Hail Mary…
ARISE! LET US BE GOING! 
Father, thank you for this absolutely beautiful photo of the dandelion and wasp. I love good insect photos, and wasps also have their place in God’s creation (pollination, etc.). And thank you for the emphasis on the First Five Saturdays!