Sow&Harvest

(An inspirational message delivered by the author on September 28, 2008 during the launch of Sow&Harvest, a project of TawagAwit that brings together members to work and cultivate a vegetable garden in a household)

Sow&Harvest is basically a backyard gardening program meant to bring vegetables on the tables of the host household as well as members of TawagAwit. But this project must be seen in a deeper perspective – for it is about relationships: with the earth, with people, with family, with God.

With the earth: From the earth springs life. The food we eat comes from the earth. The bricks and wood of our abodes are sourced from the earth. The animals feed on grass and grains from the earth. Sow&Harvest aims to re-establish our connection and commitment to the earth to which our bodies will return to when we die.

With people: Hands working together as the theme for this project means communal work. It is about community – for we are meant to live for, work with and serve each other. The Christian faith thrived because believers supported each other both in happy times and trying moments. Without the early Christian community caring for him, St Paul would not have written some of the finest attestations of our belief. Jesus Christ, God the Son, could not have brought the Good News to Jews and Gentiles without disciples whom He sent out in pairs and without the 12 Apostles who continued His mission. As we work together to sow, so must we share the harvest amongst ourselves. Sow&Harvest aims to forge the spirit of goodwill and camaraderie among members of TawagAwit.

With family: Each Christian family is a church. Each Christian family is holy. It is thus the responsibility of individual members to nourish the family, to make it a true church, to keep it holy. Let me tell you of a depressing story about failing to nourish within a family. There was a man who was an achiever who provided well his family. He was incapacitated and was bound in a wheelchair after a serious heart attack. He stayed home alone most of the time, while the rest of the family members were busy pursuing their works and lives. One day, when the wife came home, she found her husband lifeless. He had committed suicide. As a wilting plant needs more care and attention to regain strength, so must family members care and attend to each other during times of difficulty. Sow&Harvest aims to strengthen the bond among family members as they share the task of caring for the plants like caring for each other.

With God: We are familiar with the parable of the sower and the soils. (Mark 4:3-12) We are the seeds sown by God on earth. He places us on fertile ground. He wants us to grow and be fruitful in our lives. As He provides us food for our bodies, He gives our souls nourishment with His Word as written in the Bible and taught by His Church. If we refrain from knowing His Word, then our spirits will wilt in faith. He wants to come to the harvest to measure the fruits of our labour. Sow&Harvest aims to remind us that we are children of God and that He wants us to grow in faith, so that when harvest time arrives, we are prepared to join His banquet.

by Mel Libre