Abundant Harvest

 

Matthew 9:36-38 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

 

All of us are harvesters in one way or another according to the way in which we are called.  We are leaders in the service of the Reign of God.  This requires patience, perseverance, and resilience in what we are called to do and to be.  If you think there is nothing to do, wait until you go to the Respite Center, Food Bank, Catholic Worker House, Inner City Development, etc. You are needed, and your contribution will be appreciated by the people and organization who need your service.  A man in the Food Bank shared his justice and peace advocacy to someone who is saddened by his situation, he said, “Do you think you have a problem? Come and join us make some sandwiches for the homeless, you will see…”

 

There is usually a lack of budget to fill the demands of a position that relates to social and economic services that requires more than one person to fill in.  There is an abundance of work, there is always somewhere to contribute your time, talent, and effort.  Topping the list is the migrant shelters.  I volunteer with the Catholic Charities Respite Shelter occasionally, and there is non-stop influx of refugees and migrants.  The facility has hundreds of portable beds.  The facility can accommodate 500 but there are more than that on a peak day. The chapel of the facility has become a makeshift room for bed spaces to accommodate people who needed extra space to sleep.  The refugees come and go but their gratitude and good memories from the people who prayed and took care of them in their journey stay with them.  Where do carbon and methane emissions that cause severe heat and drought being the long-term effects of unethical practices come from? How can we to stop climate change, so people do not have to suffer the life-threatening effects of it? Where can we send the laborers?

 

Speaking of abundant harvest, while the temperature is reaching up to more than 100° Fahrenheit in San Antonio, there is a community garden that is thriving.  It is full of life from the plants that are growing.  It brings people, adults, youth, and children alike who are passionate about gardening and nature.  Gardopia is a non-profit organization that educates children, youth, and adults about organic gardening and the value of growing gardens.  My love of nature and care for the earth moved me to give my Saturday morning for this community garden.  We harvested bell peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, and cucumbers.  The manager invited us to take some of the harvests. 

While community gardening is good for your social life, it is also good for climate justice. Gardening helps to control urban temperature and mitigate the effects of climate change.

 

If you are looking for something ecological and fun this summer, go out for community gardening, beach clean-up, and other earth and social friendly causes.  The harvest is abundant, and the laborers are few.  Explore opportunities where you can sow some seeds or reap some harvests. As the saying goes, going out there can add to your years, the years can add to your life.  Be part of the life-changing mission.