Harvest time is a time of the year the people of God celebrate and thank God for all His blessings. It is a special season in the Church’s calendar. During this period also, everyone in the Church, both young and old, families, even friends, including children are expected to participate actively in the activities of the church and draw from it also, the blessings that follow. We recognise that our lives, families, friends, faith, graces, talents and achievements are all gifts; as Saint Paul said in his letter to the Thessalonians 5:16-18. “Every good and perfect gift are from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” …James 1:17. There can be no better way to celebrate life than to return some of our treasures to Him who kept us alive to witness yet another harvest season. With these words, we have been encouraged enough by our Maker that harvest time is more spiritual than material celebration.
Surprisingly, this special time of the year in the Church’s calendar at times is not taken very seriously by many of the parishioners across parishes and Mass Centres. Some people have formed the habit of moving from one Mass Centre to another whenever it’s harvest time and would only return when harvest is over. For others, their excuses are that more time is spent in the Church occasioned by announcements for appeal for funds, as well as fund raising activities that go on and on during this period. Let us be clear here; our active participation as children of God during harvest is very essential. We should not wait for anyone to tell us because it is clearly stated in the Holy Book to observe the feast of the harvest by bringing the first fruits to the house of God: (Exodus 23 vs 16). Besides, the development in the Church, whether major or minor projects are equally for the people of God in any parish to be part of. Harvest time affords the Church opportunity to raise funds necessary for the developments we see in all the parishes, and for the kingdom’s works to continue in earnest, that is in constant growth and demanding.
Simply put, it’s the collective responsibility of the people of God to work together in and out of season for both material and spiritual needs of the Church without anyone being left out. While it’s our firm belief that our heavenly father has taken absolute control of our spiritual desires, we are therefore enjoined to cooperate with Him for our material wants which a time like harvest presents for us all to participate actively. We should not also forget that it is the gratitude in our hearts which is more important in our lives that really brings happiness. The rich and the poor are therefore encouraged to get involved and not allow anything to take away from them the Joy and happiness that follows this special period in the Church’s calendar. While we acknowledge that times are hard owing to anxieties and worries, occasioned by hardship, illness, work and marriage relationships, even in bereavement; one thing is sure; nothing can separate us from the love of God. Harvest season is such a period we are all enjoined as the children of the Most High to thank Him for what He has given us.
Participating in the activities in the house of God which harvest is one of them can only bring us blessings because harvest is a blessing time. It is a time we should all be grateful for and rejoice in the Lord, beloved!
