THE FIRST FRUITS
“When you come into the land which I give you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest.” —Leviticus 23:10
Do you have a green thumb? Do you like to garden? Each year, since I lived in northern Michigan, I start indoor planting with seeds in the spring. Here we normally wait until the last frost to plant outdoors, otherwise they may be killed by frost. Fall garden planning is made in July through maybe September. Though the Old Testament practices of first fruits are not in force, I still keep an eye on those first fruits. The first fruits are the hope of the yearly harvest. The tomato in the photo above is the first fruit of the tomato plant in my garden that I picked up today, August 10, 2022. It’s cooling off in my fridge as I write.
In the Old Testament however, there were many rules associated with making first fruit sacrifices. They had to be brought to the temple priests. No other crops could be harvested until after the first fruits were presented. The first fruit offering was instituted in Leviticus 23:9-14. The people were to bring a sheaf of grain to the priest, who would wave it before the Lord. A burnt offering, a meal offering, and a drink offering were also required at that time. The offering was made in remembrance of Israel’s sojourn in Egypt, the Lord’s deliverance from slavery, and their possession of the Promise Land, “a land that flows with milk and honey.”
In the New Testament, the term first fruits take on a symbolic meaning. In 1 Corinthians 15:20, which is our second reading at Mass today, Paul mentions Christ as the “first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” Jesus was God’s first fruit—his one and only son.
By referring to Christ as the first fruit, we are reminded of the “first fruit” and the “other fruits “ to come during the harvest time. Hence, Christ has paved the way for the rest to follow. He is THE WAY.
Today, on the feast of the Assumption of the BVM, the patroness of my parish, Our Lady of Assumption (AKA – Our Lady of the Lake), we are reminded that Mary is one of those who came later after the first fruit. She is one of those fruits that appeared after the first fruit. Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection, the Pascal Mystery, paved the way for our resurrection. Jesus always invites us by saying “follow me.” This is the reason and meaning of today’s celebration of the Assumption of the BVM.
Hence, we are celebrating a feast of hope for us, the pilgrim church. We hope to go where our head has gone before. Jesus’ resurrection has paved the way for Mary’s Assumption and our resurrection. Let us be thankful and be filled with gladness for what the Lord has done for us. Happy Feast of our BVM.
Have a blessed week
