Photo: Kenny Joseph

Lilies are symbols of resurrection. They are flowerless for so long and then suddenly the blooms appear in all their glory.

There is a hymn that goes " When I see the little lily pushing up the mighty sod. Then I marvel at the wisdom of our God ."

Though we have no spring to delight us, there are mini- resurrections everywhere. After the dry season, it is always a pleasure to watch the burnt land turn green again.

As children, we delighted in watching the grains of corn start their new life on wet blotting paper - a common homework assignment.

A nephew of mine was being told the story of death to Jesus. My brother-in-law thought he was doing a good job, outlining the pains and sufferings of Jesus. When he was finished, his young son said to him: "And why are we praying to Jesus if He is dead?"

So often we stop the story when it should be starting. The mini- resurrections of nature help us to rejoice with all those who have turned their lives around this Lent and those who are being initiated into new life at Easter.