The Church as Prairie: A New Analogy
In recent years I have usually described the Catholic church as "the BIG ship" that could safely ferry its members along life's spiritual journey towards the golden port of heaven. I don't intend to unpack this because it appears a great many others have adopted this already as their prime example. Because the ship metaphor lacks a more organic and human element, I sunk the metal ship and cast my gaze upon something so elemental and beautifully ordinary: The Prairie. The seeds embedded in the prairie can be in the ground for many years before they might have a chance to germinate. When those seeds do grow, a blessed biodiversity of plants emerge that both welcome and sustain animals, birds and insects. It is a fragrant place that lays its garland upon flat or hilly ground; gently shaping the land and putting forth a magnificent array of colors and textures. Enter the invaders such as the Russian Olive trees that grow to about 15' tall and crowd out ever...