Harvesting Beyond the Tangible

10-09-2016Weekly ReflectionFr. Brian Jazdzewski

Since returning from vacation, I've been fielding a consistent question, "What did you do on vacation?" My witty and often-perceived smart-mouthed answer sometimes is, "When you start paying for my vacation, I'll start telling you." Now, truth be told, those of you who practice stewardship of time, talent and treasure to our parish do pay for my vacation. My salary comes because of your generosity to the Church directly and through the countless volunteer hours of fundraising. The point I'm getting to is that during my time away I was able to finish reading three books I started months ago. Further, last Sunday, you remember how pleasant the weather was, I finished a fourth. Subjects: 2 on Catholic spirituality, 1 on physical well-being, 1 on personal money management.

The book Your New Money Mindset by Brad Hewitt and James Moline (Copyright 2015 by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans) provides a thought-provoking fact: "Credit Suisse reported in 2014 that having a net worth of just $3,650 makes you richer than 50 percent of the world's population (page 182)." The authors go on to point out that, "[p]ossessing $77,000 in assets puts you in the top 10 percent [of the world's population](page 182)." While these facts which are easy for us to relate, the reality is that life and its bounty transcend beyond money.

So, now that I've returned from vacation, I'm able to once again witness the autumn harvest in our part of the planet. For some of us, the harvest began in the middle of summer while we enjoyed the produce from our gardens. For others of us, we rejoice in grain moistures which are mysteriously low despite the abundance of rainfall in recent weeks. For others, we celebrate harvesting some of nature's creatures from the waters, fields and forests.

There is yet another perspective regarding the harvest and those surround our family and friends, the human beings among us. We may be celebrating a newborn into our lives and anticipating that child's first Christmas. There may also be the elation of newlyweds in recent months and watching them transition into their sacramentally committed lifestyle. Perhaps we are on the other end of the perspective and are continuing to grieve the recent loss of a loved one and finding sadness in our hearts as we live in these increasing hours of darkness and wonder how we are going to endure the long winter without that special person.

Meanwhile, though all of these tangible things may be measured in some way, shape or form, there is a reality that these things ought to move our minds and hearts to something deeper. Or, perhaps some ONE deeper. Our bounty, no matter how we view the bounty, comes from a source we are privileged to call God. He is the generous author of all life (remember the Creation story). While our harvest of whatever is so good, the harvest comes because God has willed it so. Our call, as His subjects, is to allow these tangible things to direct our gratitude toward Him. Additionally, while we take some extra time during October and beyond to honor Mary, consider these words of St. Maximilian Kolbe: Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did. May Mary's special intercession continue to lead us to reflect upon all the blessings of our life and may that reflection lead us to deepen our relationship with her Son.

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