Guest column by Fr. Kenneth Borowiak
Pastor at St. Joseph in Friend
There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every affair under the heavens….
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
What profit have workers from their toil?
I have seen the business that God has given to mortals to be busied about.
God has made everything appropriate to its time, but has put the timeless into their hearts so they cannot find out, from beginning to end, the work which God has done.
I recognized that there is nothing better than to rejoice and to do well during life.
Moreover, that all can eat and drink and enjoy the good of all their toil—this is a gift of God.
I recognized that whatever God does will endure forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. Thus has God done that He may be revered.
From Ecclesiastes, chapter 3.
For many Nebraskans, the upcoming weeks and months are the best in the calendar year. Finally, we have cooler weather, crisp mornings and especially harvest.
As with most years, there have been ups and downs, challenges and blessings in the farming and ranching growing season. However, in the end, the Lord provides.
This year, as in the past several, lack of rain and wildfires have posed significant challenges to producers.
Certain locations in the state have had decent rain and good growing conditions. Whatever one has received, it is the Lord who, in the end, provides and gives the yield. In biblical times Scripture writers noted God the Father’s involvement in agriculture.
[Jesus said] This is how it is with the kingdom of God * it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” Mark 4: 28ff
The Scripture writer today—informed by agriculture’s advancements and developments—could speak about technology, the tactical involvement of drones, advancements in machinery, the perfection of hybrids through research of herbicides, insecticides and drought resistant crops and the always advancing role of computers in planning, productivity, decision-making plus marketing which highlight mankind’s involvement and cooperation in the Lord’s ultimate will for farm and ranch families and their operations.
Undoubtedly, the rapidly burgeoning A.I. (artificial intelligence) sector also contributes to the complex initiative that is today’s farming and ranching life now and in the future. What we believe to be cutting edge today will be yesterday’s technology for the next generation.
No matter how many advancements we achieve and recognize and among everything we can observe and measure, all accomplishments have their origin and fulfillment in God our Lord—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He asks us to be cooperative participants in the great endeavor of agriculture.
We must never forget that it is He who created the world, sustains it in existence, and provides for its continual growth.
One of my parishioners, whose family has farmed for many years, recently told me that whatever the year brings, “God always provides for us and in the end He makes it work for us.” This is a statement of faith and trust as this family cannot hit water on their farms and rely on the Lord to provide for them through rainfall and good growing conditions.
Another dimension of harvest is that it reflects the seasons of the year and as such has parallels to our lives.
Winter follows fall. For us as God’s sons and daughters, most of our lives will extend through the four seasons.
As great and fulfilling as this harvest will be for many, let it reflect that season when we will meet the Lord in all His greatness.
Thank the Lord for everything He has given you, especially the gift of faith, your family and the manifold blessings He has given you.
Have a safe and blessed harvest.
