Col 1:9-17 Lk 10:6-10

Sanctoral Cycle

St. George Maronite Church Jan 15th

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OUR LADY OF THE HARVEST
Synaxarion for Memorials without a Proper Office

 

Our Lady of The Seeds

 

Today the Church celebrates the memorial of our Virgin Mother under the title of "Our Lady of the Seeds." In origin this is an agricultural feast which arose from the needs of the farmers to seek God's help for a fruitful harvest. The farmers were at the mercy of the elements and depended upon sufficient rain and good weather. As a result they sought God's assistance and begged the intercession of Mary for their crops.

In the ancient texts for the divine office we find this text which refers to the agrarian feast of the Virgin.

The dew spread all over the region where John wrote the Book of the Virgin, in which is found: "Let the memory of the blessed One be celebrated three times a year: in January, for the seeds; in May, for the ears of wheat; in August, for the grapes which symbolizes the sacrament of life: Bless them!"

The ancient texts speak of Mary's protection not only in material terms of the crops of the field, but also of her role in the incarnation as the Mother of the Source of Life, Jesus Christ.

Saint Ephrem speaks of Mary in this regard when he says that Mary became of the field who received the grain of wheat in her womb and this grain of wheat, Jesus Christ our Lord, gives life to the world. Through the harvest we receive the gifts of bread and wine which become for us the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist. Hence we pray during the transfer of the offerings:

I am the Bread of Life, said Our Lord.
From on high, I came to earth, so all might live in me.
Pure Word without flesh, I was sent from the Father.
Mary's womb received me like good earth a grain of wheat.
Behold! The priest bears me aloft to the altar.
Alleluia! Accept our offering.

Let us put all our lives and the crops of the fields under the protection of Our Lady of the Seeds.

May she assist us with her prayers. Amen.