By Canon Philip Gillespie

​​

“We plough the fields and scatter the good seed on the land.”

 

Autumn is the time for harvest and for planning ahead. On 4 October, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, we bring to conclusion the Season of Creation which marked a time of particular prayer and thanksgiving for what in the Liturgy of the Eucharist each day we refer to as “fruit of the earth and the work of human hands”.

 

As summer fades here on the Isle of Man, our attention turns to the Mheillea, the ancient harvest celebration. Since Celtic times, this celebration has marked the gathering-in of crops with music, feasting and revelry, giving thanks for nature’s abundance and looking ahead to the darker months.

 

Perhaps we have lost sight a little of the intrinsic link between ourselves as part of God’s good creation and the beauty and fruitfulness of the earth around us. As we enter into October, which in our Catholic tradition is linked with the Holy Rosary, hopefully it is not too far-fetched to see that when it says “The hungry he has filled with good things” in Mary’s Hymn of Praise (The Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55), this may also be a spur to us never to take for granted creation, and the bounty of creation around us, but always to be thankful.

 

We are, however, aware that there are many who will be going without the bounty of creation and food and heat this autumn and winter – and that is where the work of foodbanks, food-collection points in shops and supermarkets, and indeed the ongoing efforts of the Society of St Vincent de Paul in our parishes is to be highlighted and generously supported. On a domestic level, the praying of Grace before and after meals is still a good tradition to maintain:

 

(before eating) Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts which we are to receive from your goodness through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

(after eating) We give you thanks, Almighty God, for these and all your benefits which we have received through Christ our Lord. Amen.