Cornfields

Spending a few days surrounded by the cornfields of central Illinois has impressed me once again with the unique challenges of agriculture today. It has been an unusual year in terms of rainfall in this area, which means the harvest is delayed. Even when the farm machines can get into the fields to harvest the corn, it will be necessary (and expensive) to dry it. There are few professions more subject to weather and nature than farming. My hat's off to those who serve the world in helping provide food.

Thinking of cornfields reminded me of the occasion in the Bible when Christ's disciples ate corn along the wayside. They were criticized by some religious leaders for doing so without first observing the ritual handwashing. At times, our traditions -- even religious ones -- get in the way of real needs. Christ was less concerned about touching all the bases to satisfy the "morality overseers" and more concerned with addressing real needs: physical, emotional and spiritual. He fed multitudes when they were hungry. He healed the sick. He ministered to the discouraged. This kind of outreach is the gospel in action.