by Fr. Justin Fulton
It is that time of year to start planting a field or a garden. Soon folks will be out in fields with planters or on all-fours in a backyard planting for the upcoming summer months. Planting a garden is a pastime in Nebraska. Planting a field of crops is paramount to our quality of life in Nebraska. Our lives are literally tied to the earth.
And in caring for crops, a simple faith grows. We know that no matter how much irrigation we can try to supply only God can make it rain or snow. Only He can make the sun shine. We need Him to have a good growing season and in turn have a healthy economy in our state. This reality translates to a simple faith in which we pray for the good of our crops and focus on our relationship with Him and our neighbor.
I sometimes wonder if Jesus came back to Earth today, would He decide to come to Nebraska? It makes sense to me. From talking and preaching about seeds, sowers, growth, vines, vineyards, plant and vegetation life, it seems Nebraska—even though “it isn’t for everyone”—is certainly for Jesus. Come on back, Boss man! You have a home in the Good Life, where an agrarian lifestyle is the backbone of our economy, defines our lifestyle, and certainly adds to the vitality of our faith.
Recently, our Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska Lincoln offices received a partnership grant from the University of Nebraska Extension. The University selected us and funded us in order to build and maintain a greenhouse to grow food for the needy. We now are able to grow vegetables year-round for our food pantries. Our staff, led by Martin Garcia, Jeremy Sousek, Bill Meduna and Bill Feltes, designed and built the greenhouse. Jeremy is the main caretaker for the plants and maintains them as he has a degree from UNL’s East Campus and has experience in agriculture. Jeremy is a faith-filled man and he understands how we treat the gift of our earth is relative to the way we treat the gift of human life.
Our new greenhouse ties together lives from across the state. Here we have the leading university system in our state teaming with Catholic Social Services in order to help feed needy people. We join together in a response ultimately from Jesus to care for one another and build up a culture of life. As we work with the soils, waters, and sunlight we actually realize He works through us in that mystery of grace and the cooperation of free will. Lives are touched. Relationships are formed. Jesus feeds His people. And the triune relationship of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit extends throughout the entirety of southern Nebraska.
Have a good time gardening this year! And have a better time growing with our Lord!
Thank you for your prayers and support of Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska. May God bless us all.
