In a sermon based on John 12:24, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills underscored the profound significance and complexity of agriculture, drawing parallels to spiritual lessons. “Except a corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abideth alone, but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit,” he quoted, illustrating the spiritual metaphor of sacrifice leading to growth.
He highlighted the disconnect between urban dwellers and biblical teachings on farming, emphasizing, “Agriculture is not something we emphasize much in the cities. I really wish I had done farming. It’s not easy to understand agriculture without hands-on experience.”
He also pointed out the ongoing challenges of global hunger, despite the advancements of the Green Revolution, which introduced high-yield seeds and fertilizers. “From the 1940s to the 1970s, super seeds and fertilizers greatly increased harvests. Yet, despite these innovations, hunger still persists in agricultural countries,” he observed.
The bishop compared the unpredictability of farming to that of human reproduction, noting, “There are people who have a lot of sex but don’t become pregnant, while others try once and conceive. Farming and sowing seeds is just as mysterious.”
He concluded by stressing the importance of industry alongside agriculture, stating, “No country has achieved enough food security by emphasizing agriculture alone.” He called for a deeper understanding of the intertwined nature of spiritual growth and agricultural practices.
