As I reflected on a subject for this column, I couldn’t keep from being drawn to this time of graduations. As our young people complete another year of studies and move to a new phase in life, I cannot help but be amazed as to whom they are as individuals. They truly are young people who have grown in wisdom, age and maturity. I am in awe of their individuality, as they continue to exemplify an attitude and behavior that can make us proud to be living in southwest Kansas.

But as the scripture states, Jesus continued to advance in wisdom, age and favor. With this we quickly realize that we need to continue helping each young person and each other grow in these things as well.

Over the past month my ministry has sent me back on the road. As I have traveled the highways of southwest Kansas, I have watched the wheat fields ripen. We hear reports that this year’s yields will be lower. And as I look across the fields I guess the one thing that catches my eye is how short the wheat actually is.

But even with the less than optimistic outlook on this year’s crops, farmers once again are planting their crops for the summer. As I see this, I again realize that if we are speaking of the "Fruits of the Spirit" of Faithfulness, we very well could be speaking of every farmer in Kansas. It has been said that the Fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us.

Faithfulness then could be summed up with these two statements. "Faithfulness is tending God’s lamp daily -- continuing quietly with the job we have been given." And "Faithfulness is living in God’s presence."

I invite you to once again think of the many people in our diocese. Isn’t it true that most everyone lives this Fruit of the Spirit daily? My hope is that our young people can use the example of these farmers and begin to apply this Fruit of the Spirit in their own lives.

Blessed Mother Teresa said, "God has not called me to be successful; He has called me to be faithful."