First Tomatoes

Okay now, sit back and close your eyes. Imagine you are resting in a hammock under a couple of well proportioned maple trees. The robins are chirping and a cardinal is singing just a few trees away. The distinct calling of a covey of quail drifts past in the breeze, even as the pungent smell of sweet corn pollen falling from the tassels fills your senses. Clouds drift through the sky, creating alternating moments of shade and light, which are punctuated with the unrelenting feel of solar energy warming your skin. Then, add to the moment, the quixotic ambiance of children's laughter mingled with the sounds of splashing in the pool, and you have something which resembles an articulation of that first bite of the season's first ripe tomato: It is the nearness of heaven touching earth - and that you are blessed to be among the first in the area to have such an experience only heightens the wonder.

The lowly tomato is one of God's most sensual gifts for the palate. It has the capacity to both, give health with the various nutrients for which it is noted and sought, and to inspire well-being and goodwill in the hearts of those blessed to enjoy them. Perhaps I overstate the case, since such musing is inordinately associated with the excitement of 'first of the season' fruits of nearly every kind (the 'end of the season' fruits, though no less tasty, are none-the-less 'end of the season'), yet, in somewhat less than an impartial defense, 'Can the first bites of the first tomatoes of the season really be overstated?' I think not.

These first bites of first fruits are our animal connection with the creation story. Whether it be human or animal, how good . . . I mean, how 'really good' were those first bites of God's goodness in whatever fruits were being tasted? I am excited about the taste of the first tomatoes of the season, imagine the pure pleasure of tasting the first fruits of all creation for the first time?! Could it be that therein lies the answer to all of our wondering as to why Adam and Eve and the apple had such disastrous consequences? Could it be that both of them were just so taken with the 'god-likeness' of having the first bite of everything available to them, that in the very sheer joy of having everything taste so orgasmically good, that they were feeling so god-like with the world laid out before them like a banquet table, that the distinction between 'god-like' and 'God' became blurry and their common sense gave way to the pursuit of the 'best' of the first bites? We'll never know.

Yet, with the juices of the first tomatoes of the season dripping off my chin, with the meatiness of tomato flavor still lingering on the taste buds of my tongue, and with the smell of ripened tomato still pungent upon my fingers, it does occur to me that the fall of humanity isn't entirely the fault of humankind. God, who created the tomato and all of those other fruits of sheer delight for which many will sacrifice their souls, God also created the 'taste' for which each of those fruits are known. Though humanity may have absolutely no self-control when it comes to seeking after the things of the flesh, we cannot overlook the things of the flesh which includes the flesh of the first fruits of the season. Is there any way to overestimate their power to seduce even the strongest among us? Their lewd manner of behavior in luring us from strength to irreconcilable weakness must have been seen in the heart of the One who created them. Still, human beings have been given dominion, entrusted with the capacity to know right from wrong, good from evil, acceptable behavior from unacceptable . . . . and, seemingly, as it turns out, an integral part of the test determining if we are really ready to walk in His way is not . . . is not in how we behave towards each other, but how we keep in perspective our enjoyment of the tastes of the first fruits of the season . . . . . . and, my friends, I know I have failed miserably. Those tastes have rendered me helpless to save my soul.

Tonight I will pray, I will confess my weakness, I will pray for forgiveness and strength. Tonight I will promise to make tomorrow a more faithful day towards God and God's ways . . . . but, for the rest of today, I will give thanks to God for the unbelievable taste of the first tomatoes and savor their wonder for the times to come.

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Don