“Reaping What We Sow” by Deacon Stephen Bowling

Every year at this time, I dream of corn on the cob . . .

It sounds kind of silly I know, but it was always in early August when the corn would “come in” as we used to say.

I still remember picking bushel after bushel of Silver Queen corn in both my parent’s and grandparent’s gardens growing up. There was always just a tiny number of days when the corn was perfect . . . sweet and juicy and you had to hit it just right or it would be hard and chewy. I’ll never forget those special years when we got it perfectly on time.

My record is eating 14 ears in one sitting which I accomplished on the back porch of my grandparent’s house in Howardstown so many years ago . . .

Yes, those were the days.

This is the time of year when many of us think of reaping what we have sown. Harvest is upon us as we plan for a new school year, as our vacations come to an end and as the days begin their slow shortening. Ordinary Time is with us and green vestments are the norm. This is a time for us to hear of parables and of miracles; Christ’s message takes front and center in our liturgy during these warm days of plenty. Hopefully, we are able to take some time to reflect upon how we are integrating his teachings into our families and our daily lives . . . making them a part of us as he intends us to do.

As harvest happens around us, we also remember that our time is always short. We are only given so many days here on this earth to make a difference for those in need. Just like with the corn, we ourselves have but a tiny number of days ourselves to “get it right” or “do the right thing.” It is so easy for us to miss opportunities or not to notice the days fly past. Harvest time is a time of plenty to remember and to share . . . something we do every time we gather liturgically in fact. Every mass we celebrate is a harvest . . . a sacrifice of sharing, of plenty and of remembrance.

As summer rolls on towards its ending . . . as we gather the fruits of the land into our barns and make our plans for the upcoming seasons . . . let us remember those who lack, those who yearn and those who need. Let us be the gift of plenty to all those we encounter . . . and let us widen our circles to encounter as many as we can.

“The harvest is plenty but the laborers are few” . . . let us try and field a few more workers this harvest season into the vineyards of the Lord.