We Plant the Seed; God gives the Harvest
As I was walking around our beautiful property this morning, I found myself singing Summer Is a Coming In, that old English round we learned as children. It is with gratitude and glee that I can sing that song after the time we have been through during the past year and a half. Although it was, and in some ways still is a difficult journey, the promise of new life is all around us, from the gradual lifting of protocol restraints regarding COVID-19 to the extravagance of our God in calling forth newness of life on our planet. I thought of the parable of the mustard seed in Mark’s Gospel:
“With what can we compare the reign of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
(Mk. 4:30-32)
I do not know if our Martha New Growers plant mustard seeds, but they have planted many seeds in their plot of land and are coaxing new life from them by their faithful nurturing and tending of the plants. Each day something new raises its head proudly as if to say, “I made it!” The flowers, trees and other life forms, human and non-human alike seem to stand, sway and cheer.
Other seeds have been planted this year through Martha Ministry of Spirituality and they did bear fruit. Although we were very careful to observe the health protocols, we offered our programs within these parameters and did our best to keep each other safe. God has blessed us with the presence of good people who are intentional about their journey with God and with each other.
Our program offerings for next year reflect the hope that we will be able to receive even more people and assist them in their relationship with God. Many of our upcoming presentations have to do with journey: contemplative journey through the Tides of Time, journey with the mystics into the Heart of God, The Cosmic Walk: Rooted in Wonder, walking the Camino de Santiago, journey in the global community in search of Justice, living Laudato Si’ through loving creation, and being attentive to the ongoing journey and evolution of Catholic Social Teaching.
Summer, in all her glory, is coming in, as well as fall, winter and spring. Our new Brochure is included in this newsletter for your information and convenience and may assist you in planning your calendar for offerings you may wish to participate in during the coming year.
We journey with hope and expectation that the seeds of faith we plant will bear fruit. We plant the seed and God gives the harvest; for that we are thankful.
~Sr. Claire Mac Neil, Director, Martha Ministry of Spirituality
