Lent invites us to tend the garden of our souls—to notice what is thriving, what is withering, and what is crowding out new growth. My nana’s wisdom about gardening—pay attention to what’s growing, prune what no longer gives life, and make space for new things—mirrors the spiritual work we are called to. Drawing from Bonaventure’s insight on shedding the false self, we reflect on how pruning distractions and old patterns allows us to flourish in the freedom of who God created us to be. Deuteronomy 26:16-19 friars.us