One Potato, Two Potato

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." 

Matthew 9:37-38



Every September, I remember potato harvest in Aroostook County. When I was pastor of Wallagrass, Soldier Pond, Daigle, and Guerette, many of my parishioners were potato farmers, and many more were dependent upon the potato industry. To ensure that enough workers are available for harvest, school starts in August, so that the high school kids can get out for the month of September for “harvest recess

For three or four weeks each fall, I would trade my collar for farm gear to help with harvest. It is backbreaking work! It starts before daylight and goes until dusk. The only break is for Sunday morning Mass.  For a city kid like me, it was a real education. I now know more about potatoes than I ever thought possible.

·         Before walking into and out of a field, and when mounting and exiting the harvest equipment, boots are sanitized in a special solution to prevent potato diseases.

·         A new pair of kid gloves lasts about one day during harvest

·         Dust and dirt can collect in the tiny folds of your eyelids and between your lashes.

·         After 12 hours on a moving harvester, your body will still feel like it is moving for about 8 hours.

·         Harvesters will not work in the rain.

·         There are a gajillion varieties of potato. Some are harvested and sold for seeding the next crop.

·         If the potatoes are not harvested when ripe, they quickly rot, and the crop is lost.

Of all of the above factoids, I believe the last one is most critical. You simply need enough harvesters for a timely harvest, or all is lost. No workers=no harvest=rotten potatoes=no potatoes.

When Jesus talks about harvesting, he is not describing potatoes. He is describing people.  In a world of confusion, noise, greed, and hate, harvesters are needed more than ever. As workers in the field, we have the privilege of bringing a message of love, grace, and hope to everyone. Can any of us do this alone, or does it take a whole church, working together, to make this happen?

As our congregation continues to grow, let us be renewed. All of us need to listen carefully to the words of Jesus.  Are you ready to work the harvest? What gifts and talents can you bring to the field? Can you encourage others to join us in the important work of harvesting?

Pr. Bill Barter