Dear brothers & sisters in Christ, peace be upon you on this fine day. I understand the value of hard work and the immense joy that comes from reaping a bountiful harvest. In our lives we toil and persevere, all for the sake of culminating into a bountiful harvest that is pleasing to the Lord.
As with the grow of any crop, along the way there are bound to be hardships. Drought, pests, and diseases can cause sever damage and stifle the the growth of the harvest or even lead to death. The same can be said with sin and transgressions. In my message to you today, I stress the importance of protecting the fruits of your labor so that all your work does not go to waste.
I want to assure you that God will bless you, protect and increase your spiritual harvest if you tend to it with care and attention. Whilst farmers rely on insurance coverage and indemnity to protect themselves from financial losses, I know that my ultimate protection lies not in any policy, but in my trust in God’s loving care for me.
God promises in his word that “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).
Planting your seeds of faith with care and attention
Just as the gentle farmer plants the seeds for his crop with great care and attention, so to must you also pay heed and be attentive when it comes to planting your seeds of faith. Take time to read and study the word of God, pray and meditate on His word, and be intentional about your spiritual growth.
“But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown”
– Matthew 13:23
Our spiritual harvest is a long term journey that requires perseverance and patience. When you sow the seeds of faith, do not expect the results to be immediate, or falter in your conviction to continuously grow them. The key here is to be intentional and consistent in your planting and nurturing of your spiritual seed, it will bring a bountiful harvest.
Tending to your spiritual growth
Just as you tend to your crops, you must also tend to your spiritual growth. It requires constant attention and effort. Take time to reflect on your spiritual journey and seek to grow in your faith. The Bible says “like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” (1 Peter 2:2). It’s important to be intentional about your spiritual growth, to seek ways to deepen your understanding of God’s word and to grow in your relationship with him.
Placing Your Harvest In God’s Hands
Rely on God in all things and you shall never be disappointed. My child, be assured that God wants only the best for you. Everything that you have experienced in life is an opportunity to grow and increase your faith. Your spiritual journey is not defined simply in the moment, but rather it is something that we must strive to excel in each day.
Do not be disheartened simply because of a difficult situation. Place your trust in the Lord for He will carry you through. Trust in God’s plans for your final harvest and eventual reunification with him in Heaven. When you have put in the hard work, never despair but trust in the Lord and His unfailing coverage over your life.
Share Your Harvest With Those In Need
Remember the parable that Christ taught us about the Rich Farmer in Luke 12:1-21? The story was of a farmer who was rich and enjoyed a plentiful harvest that year. Instead of sharing it with his neighbors and those that worked hard for him so that they may have enough food, he instead hoarded all his crops in the barn to keep only for himself. Eventually his life was forfeit and he was condemned by the Lord for his selfish actions.
“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” – Luke 12:21
When we grow our spiritual harvest in the Lord, it is important to remember that sharing with others will always lead to greater glory in God’s name. All the blessings that God has given us should not be kept hidden in our “barns”. Serving others is also a way to show gratitude for the blessings that God has given us and it helps us to grow in humility and generosity.
Let Us Pray
Dear God, we thank you for your loving care and provision for us. Help us to trust in you and surrender control of our harvests to you. We know that you are faithful and will provide for our needs, bless my spiritual harvest and protect it from any harm. Help me to tend to it with care and attention and increase my yield for the sake of your kingdom. I trust in your divine plan for me.
St. Isidore, pray for us. Amen 🙏
