Our home is in a rural part of the country and during this time of the year it is always fun to watch the corn and soybeans grow as they turn the pale empty ground into a lush green. We live across the street from one of these fields, so every year we get a front row seat to the action. This year the farmer, who is our neighbor, planted corn in field next to our home. A few weeks ago as the corn was just started to pop through the soil, my wife and I had a conversation about how amazing it is to watch. Every seed that is planted seems to sprout and take root. We wondered what it must be like from the farmer’s perspective to watch this unfold every year. Thousands of seeds are planted every spring, and we wondered if he ever worried that they just might not grow. So, one day when we were out for our daily walk, we asked him.
We asked the farmer, do you ever worry that you plant all these seeds and nothing will happen? He said that he grew up farming this land because his dad farmed it before him. He has spent his whole life planting seeds and “just knows” that every year they will pop through the soil and will grow if they have the right conditions.
As I reflected on the readings for today, I could not help but think of my neighbor and the conversation we had with him. The overarching message I read from these readings was that of hope, the same message that came from the farmer. In the first reading from Isaiah, it says that “my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.” In Paul’s reading to the Romans, he tells them that even though there may be suffering in their lives, it does not compare to the glory that lies ahead because “creation awaits with eager expectation.” Paul goes on to say that “We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now.” Our connection to God is as engaging to us as the rain is to the fields. And the work of God is as ongoing and ever evolving into something new as it was in the beginning of creation. Yes, suffering is real and it seems we can all feel that in our present day. But this suffering is “nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us” if we continue to have hope in the seed (as the word of God) and in the one who plants it (Christ as the sower).
Much has been written about today’s readings in Matthew’s Gospel. But as I read it this time, my thoughts were about the farmer. What trust, confidence, and hope he has in the seeds he plants and in fields where he does his work. The work is difficult and no doubt suffering is included. But the work is necessary to develop rich soil so the seeds can sprout and develop deep roots. It doesn’t happen by chance. But he knows that if he does his part, the seed will do its part without fail this season, and next season, and the season after that. My neighbor has watched this happen the same way every planting season for his whole
life. The seed will always deliver as long as he does his part. And although at times he may be “groaning in labor pains” he will “have the first fruits of the Spirit” at “a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”
Tom Lenz
I am a native of Carroll, Iowa, and originally came to Creighton as an undergraduate student in 1988. My wife Nancy and I have four children, two of whom graduated from Creighton. I started my first faculty position at Creighton in 1999, and I am currently a professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine in the School of Medicine. I direct a Master of Science program in Integrative Health and Wellness and teach compassion science courses to medical and dental students.
It is truly a blessing to be part of the Daily Reflections writing team. Each time I have the opportunity to write a reflection, I am reminded of how rich the readings are with wisdom, love, and kindness. And being able to connect in some way with all those who read the reflections is a joy beyond words.
