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The words ‘think’ and ‘thank’ are related.  When we think of the bounteousness of God we become thankful, and as harvest time approaches our thoughts turn more in this direction.

Even though the earth contains all the necessary substances we need to live, we cannot just eat earth. A number of processes and changes have to take place before these substances take a suitable form which the body can use for its nourishment “Let the earth be fruitful…” We are so familiar with this that we hardly think of how marvellously God’s earth looks after us, but we ought to think about it and be grateful for the many things the earth gives us food, raw materials and electricity etc. This picture would be incomplete if we did not include the cosmos, of which our earth forms a part, eg. the relationship between the earth and the sun without which the earth would be uninhabitable. Supporting all this is its Creator.

Now what the earth gives and brings forth is often far from being useable or edible. The expression ‘raw material’ is appropriate. We should contemplate our contribution. God’s entire creation expresses His nature. All things in God’s creation are ultimately interdependent upon each other. Man is no exception; therefore, he cannot stand apart and just enjoy the benefits. We should appreciate each other – ‘One good deed deserves another.’ Harvesting, mining, manufacturing, productions, packing, wholesale and retail trading, for all this man-power, human intelligence and industriousness IS necessary. It is also significant how many containers and tools are necessary during these processes before ie.  we can purchase our goods in a supermarket. Then the food must be prepared before we can eat it. Eating starts off a new process, and digestion turns it into energy. Another example: the two wires in a wall socket lead to the fuse box, then the sub-station, transformer, high voltage transmission lines, generator, turbine, dam and finally the lake. The examples give us food for thought, showing us how the most simple things in daily use come to us through many media undergoing many changes and all this is the way creation works.

“There shall come forth a rod…” Isaiah 11:1-2, these words point to the spiritual creation which began with the Son of God who provided for the soul’s needs. The soul came from God and receives life and nourishment only from Him, as the body receives its nourishment from the earth out of which it came.

How can we receive these spiritual gifts? After having read the above the answer should be easy.

Heavenly gifts can only be received through Christ who is the giver. Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6. Since the first Pentecost Jesus, as the Holy Spirit, has been with us. As a Spirit He needs tools and vessels 2Cor. 4:7 these are His Apostles and servants whose task is: the perfecting of the saints…” Ephesians 4:11-16. The Lord Himself said to His Apostles: “He that heareth you heareth me” Luke 10:16 and: “He that receiveth you, receiveth me Matthew 10:40, Romans 10:12-17, 1Corinthians 4:1, 2Corinthians 3:6-8; 4,7; 5,18. Christ’s heaven ‘comes forth’ on the earth through Christ’s disciples, in whom God has put His Spirit. The Spirit makes us grateful. If we are grateful then our deeds will show it. Let us also recall what is said in our Book of Faith re the Sacraments: “Sacraments bring grace” and are necessary for the salvation of the soul, they are administered by those chosen of God and are visible rites through which invisible divine salvation it received.