Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2: For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die: a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted…. [Revised Standard translation]
BIBLICAL COMMENTS
There are a number of books in the Bible that some have labeled “wisdom literature.” These books include the Book of Job, Psalms, the Book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. The word “Ecclesiastes” is a Latin transliteration* of the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Koheleth.” “Koheleth” means “Gatherer” but is traditionally translated as “Teacher” or “Preacher.” See, www.wikipedia.com.
In Ecclesiastes 1:1, the Kohleleth or Preacher/Teacher identifies himself as the son of David, Solomon. The “words” of the text are in the form of an autobiographical narrative. The subject matter appears to be “the meaning of life.”
According to The Teacher/The Koheleth, everything has a season or a time.
After considering the seasons and many things about human life—birth, death, the search for wisdom, the desire for advancement, the vanity of wealth and honor, the attempts to please our appetite for things, the search for virtue and wisdom, and after much study, teaching, the Teacher gives us his conclusions about “the whole matter.” In essence, he gives us what he has learned from studying everything as follows:
Fear GOD, and keep HIS commandments….
Ecclesiastes 1:13. Why? Because only GOD remains the same. We can find comfort and hope in knowing that HE is the same—yesterday, today and tomorrow and that HE is in control.
*A transliteration is a conversion of a word or text from one script to the alphabet of another script.
SEASONAL EATING
Some of the best chefs at the best restaurants cook and eat seasonally. Many chefs grow their own foods at nearby gardens where the foods can be easily harvested. One reason some of the “best” restaurants have seasonal foods is because fresh foods (seasonal foods) just taste better. Eating a fresh fruit or vegetable is also more nutritious.
Instead of eating foods that have been shipped thousands of miles away, which have to be packaged, sometimes processed and stored to prevent damage, the time from harvest to your plate can be hours or a few days as opposed to weeks or months.
Moreover, by eating seasonally we help support our local economy (and local farmers) and reduce our environmental “footprint” since less (transportation) fuels are used in the shipping process.
You can also find that you can stretch your dollar shopping at a local farmer’s market, especially when the market is about to close and the merchants are eager to bargain so that they don’t have to transport produce back home.
If you go to https://www.seasonalfoodguide.org/california/late-september and click on your state, you can find a list of fruits and vegetables in season in your state each month of the year.
For example, if you live in California, some of the produce available in the state in September include:
Apples, Artichokes, Arugula, Asian Pears, Avocados, Beets, Blackberries, Bok
Choy, Broccoli, Brussels, Sprouts, Cabbage, Cantaloupe, Carrots, Cauliflower,
Celery, Chard, Citrus, Collard Greens, Corn, Cucumbers, Dates, Edamame,
Eggplant, Figs, Garlic, Ginger, Grapefruit, Grapes, Green Beans, Green Onions,
Kale, Kiwi, Leeks, Lemons, Lettuce, Melons, Mushrooms, Nectarines, Okra,
Olives, Oranges, Parsley, Peaches, Pears, Peas, Pecans, Peppers, Persimmons,
Plums, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Radishes, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Shell Beans, Snap Peas, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips,
Watermelon, Winter Squash
Another resource for information about what is in season is Field to Plate. See, https://www.fieldtoplate.com/guide/ which also provides information about seasonable fruits and vegetables by state, provides lists for farmer’s markets for some states and provides a harvest calendar for some states, listing months when certain fruits and vegetables are harvested as well as some agricultural festivals and tours. There are even some websites listing places where you can go and pick your own fruits and vegetables.
Taking the whole family to a field where you can pick your own vegetables makes for a great family outing.
SOME THINGS REMAIN THE SAME---GOD
This year we have witnessed a lot of seasons. Some regions have experienced “hurricane season,” “earthquake season,” “fire season” “hot weather season” “flooding season” or other life threating or frightening events. Some are still in a season of calamity or dealing with the aftermath of their “season.” Please remember to pray with and for them.
Please pray that when everything changes, when nothing looks or remains the same, that they remember that GOD IS STILL GOD.
Psalms 46 reminds us:
- GOD is our refuge and our strength; [Psalms 46:1];
- [T]hough the earth should change...mountains shake…oceans roar and foam…GOD is [still there] in the midst;
[Psalms 46:2-5]
- Even if nations rant and rave...THE LORD ALMIGHTY is with us. Psalms 46:6-7]
Remember, GOD IS.
Today, continue to pray one for another--- for our brothers in sisters all over the world.
Pray we all seek GOD’s strength. Pray we all seek refuge in GOD and are not fearful nor overwhelmed by the changing seasons.
Let us eat seasonally. And, let us pray joyfully, both in and out of seasons.
Be assured that GOD IS and BE BLESSED!
