The Season of Autumn also known as Fall begins this Tuesday, September 22. Many love the change in colors of the trees, the cooler temperature, and the nice weather. On September 22nd we experience the Autumnal Equinox, where day and night are roughly equal in length. School is back in session, and football games have begun. The harvest approaches. There is so much for which to be thankful.
Liturgically, Fall is not really anything particularly special, but is the finishing out of the Church year. We get to the higher numbered Sunday’s of Ordinary Time, which I think tend to focus on the work God has given us and on a final accounting and judgment. Fall does seem to be the time to hunker down and get stuff done before the Winter hits. Therefore, I think the season is well summed up by the theme of harvesting.
Perhaps we could focus on harvesting spiritually? What would that look like? Certainly, extra prayers of thanksgiving could fit in this, as we acknowledge the good works of God in our lives. It is important to celebrate these good things. This culminates when we later celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving. Our focus could also look like accountability or examination of conscience as we consider our own responses to God and the harvest they bring. Where has God’s grace born fruit in us (likely due to a response on our part)? What parts of our lives are barren or fruitless? What went wrong (likely again due to a lack of response on our part)? How could I labor with God’s grace to improve this?
I recall the many harvests growing up on a farm as being a lot of long days working in the field. Actually, I didn’t have to do too much as I was never allowed to operate the combine (harvester)—I don’t think I was trusted to do that. I mainly served in a support role of moving grain trucks, auguring grain to where it was supposed to go, and caring for other things so that my dad could focus on harvesting. Maybe that too is a good spiritual image. God our Father is working, and we can be sure God is harvesting many good things, even if we don’t see it. But we need to keep doing our daily duties and trust the harvest is happening! That can be difficult enough in our “fallen” world.
I hope and pray we have a great season of Fall, that we labor faithfully for the Lord, and give thanks for many blessings!