THE PLOUGH

"Jesus replied: No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God." (Luke, 9:62)

Here we see Jesus utilizing one of the most beautiful symbols in the construction of the Divine Kingdom.

Without a doubt, had the Master so desired, He would have created other images. He could have alluded to the laws of the world, to social obligations, to the Texts of the Prophecy; however, He preferred to fix the teachings on simpler basis.

The plough is the universal tool. It is heavy, requires effort and cooperation among man and the machine. It provokes sweat and caution, and above all, it tills the soil for greater production. As it proceeds it prepares a cradle for the seedlings, and the soil relinquishes so that the rain, the sun and the fertilizers are conveniently utilized.

It is necessary, therefore, that the sincere disciple takes lessons from the Divine Cultivator by embracing the plough of responsability through an edifying struggle, without letting go. In this manner, thus avoiding a grave detriment to "his own soil".

Let us meditate over the lost opportunities, from the merciful rains that have fallen upon us and have been lost  without being advantageous to our spirits; of the loving sun that has been vivifying us for many millenniums, of the precious fertilizer that we have rejected by preferring lazy inactivity and indifference.

Let us examine all of these and reflect on the symbol used by Jesus.

A plough promises service, discipline, affliction and exhaustion; nevertheless, we should not forget that afterwards, the harvest and the crops will place bread on the table, as well as fill the cellars.

Excerpted from Chapter 3 of "Our Daily Bread" - Chico Xavier (by the Spirit Emmanuel)