Have you noticed that everything is green? Just outside your window, the bare branches of Winter are gone. Our trees are full of leaves. The grass is green and lush.

But what if things aren’t green? Well, this time of year things are supposed to be growing, so we may fertilize our grass a bit, we may mulch around our plants so they don’t dry out. We try to keep that beautiful green going as long as we can for the Summer months so we can enjoy it. And, if the roots are well fed and nourished right now, we know these plants will keep growing next year.

Take a look some time in our church. What is the main color you see? GREEN. Everything is green. The paraments on the altar, lectern and pulpit are all green. These colors will also stay green all the way through November when we change them to red for the Festival of the Reformation. For several months we will be green, and for a good reason. During these next several months all of our readings will be focused upon your growth in Christ. Our readings will not necessarily focus upon the return of Christ (Advent) or repentance (Lent) or the resurrection (Easter). Although the readings may touch upon these themes at different times, this will not be the focus. The focus of these next several months will be your growth in Christ.

The readings and sermons will focus upon your life in Christ and growing that life in Christ. Think of it as a time when Christ will be spreading spiritual mulch around you so you may grow deep roots of faith into Christ. Or think of it as a time when Christ will water you with baptismal waters so you may drink deeply and be satisfied, or when you will be nourished even more so with the bread of heaven in Christ’s body and blood so that you also may be strong enough to fight off your flesh and the assaults of the devil.

Our plants and grass are not the only things that need tending this time of year. You need to be tended. And thanks be to God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is here to do that for you! So, allow yourselves to be cared for by Christ in His Word and sacraments this Summer so that you, your family, and your friends may all be nourished in Christ and have roots grown into the ever-flowing fountain of His mercy shown to you in the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.