Active or Passive?

~~~Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church~~~

~~~ 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 ~~~ Psalm 33 ~~~ Luke 4:38-44 

...neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything,
but only God, who causes the growth.

He who plants and he who waters are one...

For we are God’s co-workers; 
you are God’s field, God’s building.

Who are you? One who plants or one who waters?
Does it matter? In the end it is God who causes the growth.
Honestly I am not very good at planting or watering
 if you take this concept literally.
I seem to have black thumbs. I either over water
 or under water the few plants we have.
Even cactus plants are at risk under my care.
So I cannot take these verses literal.

But I do admit to loving the idea of being God's co-worker.
How about you?
Are you interested in working alongside of God?
Are you willing to go out into the field?
Are you okay with God coming to check your plants?

You are a part of the whole process. Did you know that?
It really does not matter if you are an informed active participant
or just meandering along each day.

It is much more beneficial if you are an active participant.

You may be the one who prepares the soil.
The one who turns over the crusted top layer.
You are part of the whole process.

You may be the one who carefully places the young plant into the soil...
The one who looks upon the plant with hope
for what it will become.

You are part of the whole process.

You may be the one who fills the watering can.
You may be the one who sprays the plant with refreshing cool water.
You may be the one who ignores the plant depriving it of water.
You are part of the whole process.

No mater what you do, no matter what you fail to do...
there can only be growth through the workings of God himself.

The question is...do you want to be a part
 of the good or a part of the negligent?

Some plants flourish in spite of poor soil.
Some plants flourish in spite of water deprivation.
God is the one who causes all growth.

He invites us to be co-workers with him.
What an honor and a privilege to even be included.

Will you plant?
Will you walk away?
Will you water?
Will you ignore?
Either way you have a role to play in this whole process.

Blessed to be a co-worker with God.
The closer you are to him the more you will be amazed.
~~~Peace~~~

Only God Causes Growth

~~~ 1 Cor 3: 1-9 ~~~ Psalm 33 ~~~Luke 4: 38-44 ~~~

 

Paul is explaining to the Corinthians that he must talk

to them as physical beings.

He cannot speak to their spiritual personhood.

Paul and Jesus draw from the known physical world to give as examples.

They use those things with which the people are familiar.

Here he uses the analogy of plant life.

 

"Therefore, neither the one who plants

nor the one who waters is anything,
but only God, who causes the growth.
He who plants and he who waters are one...
...For we are God's co-workers..."

 

No matter if we are the person who plants the seed or

the one who waters what has previously been planted;

we cannot take the credit.

One without the other is nothing.

If we nurture and care for what has been planted in the hearts

of our family, neighbors, and friends

we are co-workers with God.

 

It is only through the grace of God that any growth takes place.

If seeds are left in the package they certainly cannot grow.

If seeds are planted and forgotten...not watered;

 they will soon die from the stressed conditions.

I witnessed in the last year how weakened the plants have become

due to the extended drought in our area.

 

In reflecting on our spiritual growth

if we have no seeds to plant there is no need to water.

But more importantly what will God be able to grow?

We do not need to wait for someone else to bring the seeds to us.

There is no need to wait for someone else to plant the seeds for us.

We do have the resources to gather our own seeds.

We do have the resources to water our own seeds.

 

The question here is, do we take the initiative?

It is important that we take the responsibility

because then we will be open to the available seeds.

If we take the action we will be paying attention to our spiritual needs.

 

It is not necessary that you know what seeds you are going to plant.

When you are sitting in a restaurant looking over the menu

you know you will be eating something.

 

Many times I have witnessed seeds available for the taking

during retreats, days of reflection, and parish missions.

There are also seeds hidden inside of scripture verses

and well written books.

 

Who knows there may even be seeds right here on this blog.

 

We can make the choice to ignore these seeds.

We can make the choice to accept the seeds and plant them into our heart.

We can chose to plant the seeds and let them rot.

We can plant the seeds and water them.

We can water these seeds through deeper study, time in silence,

prayer and discussions with others.

 

Jesus became human, but he was also filled with the seeds

from his heavenly Father.

He prayed, taught, healed and scattered his seeds of love

everywhere he walked.

He scattered his seeds of mercy to each person he healed.

 

 

When we are aware of how God is causing growth within us 

we should thank him and praise him.

For whatever God is causing to grow in our hearts

we can then

pass on to others.

"...From heaven the LORD looks down;
he sees all mankind."

Thus we become partners with him

scattering his seeds of love, care, compassion, and mercy.

"...I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God,
because for this purpose I have been sent."

Lord, show me how to gather your seeds today.

Surprise me with where you have planted your seeds.