Farming has come a long way since the time of our Lord. Today, farmers use huge tractors to plow and fertilize their fields, sophisticated GPS systems to increase their crop output and massive harvesters to bring in the ripened produce. But, no matter how many advances modern technology affords to farmers, they face many of the same challenges and obstacles experienced by their ancient counterparts, not the least of which is the weather, something that even today no one can control or even accurately predict. This past spring, for example, New Jersey farmers lost millions of dollars in crop damage due to unusually warm and wet weather that was followed by a sudden hard freeze.
The farmer understands better than most that all things come from God and ultimately belong to him. That’s why, in ancient civilizations, believers offered up the first, best fruits of their harvest as a sacrifice in thanks to God. We see that in the story of Cain and Abel and in the celebration of Passover. Today’s readings use farming to teach some very important lessons, lessons we are all wise to learn and lessons that those who are about to receive Holy Communion for the first time do well to reflect on as they are welcomed around the Lord’s Table this morning.
In today’s first reading, we hear the prophet Isaiah compare the effects of rain and snow on the ground prepared with seed for a harvest to the word of God. Just as the seed grows on fertile ground and eventually is made into bread to nourish our bodies so the word of God grows in the hearts and minds of those who have prepared them to receive it, providing spiritual nourishment. God provides rain to moisten the ground, making it fruitful. As he gives us bread to satisfy our physical hunger, we are also given the living Word and the Body and Blood of Christ to nourish our spiritual hungers.
In his parables, Jesus often spoke in agricultural terms, making himself easily understood, as most people in his time lived off the land as farmers and shepherds. Like the farmer’s seed, our faith must be nurtured and fed, protected and fertilized. The seeds of our faith must be so deeply rooted in Christ and his teachings that nothing can cause them to waste or wither – not the temptation to do wrong, not wealth or power, not pride or prejudice.
So, how do we make sure that we are the ones who hear the word and understand it and bear fruit with an abundant yield? Just as a farmer has to enrich his soil with fertilizer, keep it free of weeds and water it regularly, we need to enrich our souls with God’s life-giving word and the strength given us through the sacraments and the community of faith – the Church. That’s why, every time we gather as a faithful community, we hear God’s word proclaimed. And, that’s why we treasure the sacraments so much; they give us the strength of the Holy Spirit of God to grow and develop throughout our lives.
This morning, we have several young parishioners who will receive another important sacrament – the Eucharist – as they continue their spiritual journey to become fully initiated members of our family of faith. Our children have spent some time over this past year preparing for this important moment in their spiritual journey by listening carefully to God’s word and reflecting on it in their hearts and minds. They have also been accompanied by faithful members of their family and friends who have walked with them in their faith journey, today’s examples of farmers who carefully watch over their crops.
In today’s second reading, we hear the Apostle Paul compare the process of cultivating growth in the faith to the groaning of women in labor. We long to be set free from the pain of sin. In Christ, humanity has received salvation for the soul and the promise of the resurrection of the body. Paul, like the long-suffering farmer, willingly endured all kinds of hardships in order to plant the seeds of faith in the early Christian communities, giving them the promise of freedom and new life. Some of those receiving the Eucharist for the first time have been fortunate to have parents or grandparents do the same thing, gently, patiently and persistently planting and cultivating the seeds of faith so that they would grow and develop.
I’m sure the rest of you here in church join me in congratulating these children who will shortly receive our Lord in Holy Communion for the first time. Our love for them is a reflection of the great love that God has for all of us. When the Word takes root in our lives and our faith grows, we can offer ourselves back to the One who first gave all to us. We do so in acts of love for him and for each other, just as Jesus did for us.
We were all created to be rich soil for the Word of God. And, Isaiah’s prophecy is true. God says, “My Word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.” Let us be like the farmer who understands that all things come from God and ultimately belong to him. Let us be careful to enrich the soil of our souls – listening to God’s word, receiving the sacraments, remaining close to the community of faith – the Body of Christ – so that we bear fruit abundantly.