kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth

Thank you for the harvest

Today is our Harvest Thanksgiving Festival at Godmanchester Church. I shall miss the celebrations this year, as I don’t really feel well enough to go. But, even without going, I know that the Church will look stunning for today. And will look quite bare in comparison tomorrow, as so much is taken to be given to those who need it more than us.

I’m always aware, though, that as much as we do try and do to help others as a Church, there is still more that could be done. We often help out those in need locally, but there is so much need, greater need perhaps, worldwide.

I was browsing on YouTube and came across a whole host of videos put on there by Christian Aid; and they certainly got me thinking. Here’s one, below, that highlights need, and some of the practical ways help can be given. But do please have a look at more of the Christian Aid videos by clicking here.

It’s quite incredible to think that just £7.50 could provide enough drought-resistant millet seed for a farmer in Burkina Faso to harvest a year’s food for four people – from the desert. And it makes you realize that helping, really helping, isn’t out of reach.

Creator God,
you made the goodness of the land,
the riches of the sea
and the rhythm of the seasons;
as we thank you for the harvest,
may we cherish and respect
this planet and its peoples,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Additional Collect for Harvest Thanksgiving
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

That we may see your goodness in the land of the living

I’m not perfect, nowhere even close to it, but I do try very hard to always look for, to always find, some good in everyone. Of course, some people make that easier to do than others. I do try very hard to always give people a second chance, and third, fourth, fifth, as many chances as people need. I know some people do abuse my giving as many chances as they need — I’ve been accused of naivety on many occasions, and will probably continue to put myself in the same position.

Like I said, though, I’m not perfect, and do get it completely wrong sometimes. I do find myself getting irritated with people, and impatient with people, just as most of us do. And I know, sometimes I expect too much of people, more than they’re willing or able to give. But when I catch myself doing it, I try to put it right straight away, most of the time.

I like the first “me” much more than the second. He’s a much nicer “me” to live with. I try to let these words from Matthew’s Gospel be my guide:

“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:35-40)

I wish I could say I always get it right, but, as I said at the beginning of this post, I’m nowhere near perfect. I get too easily distracted, and just forget sometimes. But those are the “ideals” I aim for. That is one of the ways I try to see God’s goodness in the land of the living.

God, our light and our salvation:
illuminate our lives,
that we may see your goodness in the land of the living,
and looking on your beauty
may be changed into the likeness of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Additional Collect for The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council