Beautiful Butterflies and the True Vine

Last week, the younger Faith Formation students discussed creation, specifically highlighting the beauty and intricacy of butterflies as an example of God's handiwork. The students explored the concept of new life in Christ, paralleling the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly with spiritual renewal and rebirth. After observing live caterpillars and discussing their lifecycle from a tiny egg to a butterfly, the class went outside to enjoy the warm, sunny day. The beauty of spring helped inspire their colorful butterfly art.

“Is it possible that God made butterflies to teach us lessons about life? We are all a work in progress and we have to go through a caterpillar stage before we can be transformed into a beautiful butterfly. The caterpillar might not look like much now, but when God gets done with it, it will become a creature of amazing beauty.”

The older students explored the Parable of the True Vine and visited the garden to see the grape vines we planted last year which are just beginning to emerge from their winter dormancy. We also spent time cleaning and preparing the beds and garden boxes for spring planting in a few weeks. We noted that the difference between the branch and the vine is difficult to discern. What a joy it is to ponder the beauty of the plant that is made of interconnected branches, filled with the sap that flows through the vine bringing life to every part of each branch. It is by remaining on the vine that the branches bear beautiful fruit, fruit that brings glory to the vine grower, God the Father. It’s such a gift to be a branch on this True Vine!