The concept of the Seasons appears in Scripture from at least two perspectives: firstly, it illustrates the two phases of life that continually follow one another, the first being for gathering or building, and the second for enjoying the harvest or withstanding the elements. Secondly, this concept represents the stages of building a structure, where each person, according to their skill, is called upon to intervene at a specific time, for a specific duration, and then pass the baton to their successor.
Having examined in the previous article the first case where our responsibility extends to the entire process, we will now look at the case where it is limited to just one stage of the process.
Responsible for a process step: Constructing one part of the Building, then making way for another
As with the first case, we will set the scene with an image given by Christ during his encounter with the Samaritan woman. To indicate that the people of Samaria were now ready to receive the Gospel, the Lord said this:
“Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.”
In the first chapter, we saw the ant taking care of the summer and the harvest itself (Proverbs 6:6-8), but here the Lord presents us with another example: “One soweth, and another reapeth.” We could also paraphrase, rephrase in our own words by saying: One worketh in summer, and another at harvest, or even, One worketh in spring, and another at harvest.
Thus, the first chapter aimed to lead us to divine Wisdom by using the seasons of calm and "summer" to prepare us for the seasons of trials and "harvest." Here, however, we are concerned with understanding the concept of the Body in the building up of the Church, in relation to the seasons; with seeing how to work in such a way that another can take over, or else continue the work of a predecessor, while respecting the work he or she began.
Responsible for a process step: Illustration
We see this principle applied to some extent at various times in the old covenant; but it is with the apostle Paul that we will go more deeply.
- Moses and Joshua on the subject of entering the promised land
Moses stopped at the entrance to the promised land and strengthened Joshua to lead the people there.
- David and Solomon regarding the construction of the Temple
David prepared everything necessary for the construction of the Temple and then left it at the disposal of his son, who was responsible for building the edifice.
With a little perspective, you will notice that the cases of Moses and Joshua or even David and Solomon are in fact images of Christ and His Holy Spirit that He left us and through whom He is building His Church, His Kingdom, His Temple.
- Paul and Apollos (1 Corinthians 3:4-15)
Through this teaching, the apostle Paul beautifully illustrates an example of the application of the doctrine already given by the Lord at the entrance to Samaria. In particular, this statement:
“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”
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- Responsible for the Foundation
The two chapters converge in this paragraph. The Apostle Paul reminds us that the main part of a house, the part that sustains it over time and despite storms, is its foundation. Therefore, the responsibility of the one who gives birth in Christ (Galatians 4:19), or rather, who has the responsibility of teaching a new convert in the faith, is immense. This responsibility lies not only in the quality of the teachings, but also in the intercession offered in secret, for, as the Apostle so aptly emphasizes, it is God who gives the increase!
- Responsible for the Foundation
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- Responsible for raising the wall
The one who builds the walls must always consider the foundation; he knows which part of the structure can bear a certain load. In other words, he will always know what to emphasize, what to revisit as needed, while gradually imparting teachings. But the key will also remain the same: he must tirelessly intercede because, ultimately, it is God who gives the increase!
- Responsible for raising the wall
One last point to note is that, while it is true that we must firmly oppose any form of heresy that infiltrates the Church, we must at the same time avoid needlessly plunging the Lord's flock into confusion by refraining from hastily and negatively interpreting the teachings of our predecessors. We see the Apostle Peter demonstrate this wisdom when speaking of Paul:
“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” (2 Peter 3:16)
Therefore, our prayer at the end of this chapter is that the Lord will guide each of us in our individual calling, our participation in the building up of the Church of Christ: within our families, in our neighborhoods, and in our professional environments. May God, throughout our time in these environments or here on earth, grant us, as the one who plants or else waters, the grace to fully and completely fulfill what He expects of us, preparing the way for those who will succeed us!
May He reveal to us all those with whom He wills us to partner in this wonderful work!
In the mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!
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