Happy Monday! We're back for another full week of saintly action and we kick things off with with the long-anticipated agricultural anarchy as Isidore the Farmer faces off against Phocas the Gardener. [insert comment about reaping what you sow]
In case you forgot about Friday's matchup, Michael the Archangel defeated Anna the Prophet 53% to 47% to advance to the Saintly Sixteen where he'll face Esther.
Finally, in the shout-out department, we're pleased to share an article titled St. Albans Participates in Lent Madness that appeared in the Eureka-Times Standard. Congrats to the Rev. Nancy Streufert and the folks at St. Alban's Church in Acarta, California! Lent Madness is HUGE in the Redwood forest.
Isidore the Farmer
Isidore was a prodigious farmer who credited the wealth of his harvests to angels who worked by his side. Born in Madrid, Spain, in about 1070, Isidore was a poor laborer for Juan de Vargas, a wealthy landowner. While Isidore spent his life working the land for others, he was always generous, sharing all he had with the poor.
Saintly lore tells us that Isidore is credited with more than 400 miracles. In addition to bringing an abundance of agricultural bounty for the de Vargas family, Isidore also is said to have brought de Vargas’s daughter back to life.
Another story tells of a beggar who arrived at Isidore’s home seeking food. Isidore’s wife, Maria, told the beggar that there was no more stew in the pot. As the beggar turned away, Isidore called out to his wife to check again. On further inspection, the pot of stew miraculously refilled. Legend also recalls that after Isidore and Maria’s only son fell into a well, Isidore prayed that the waters would rise and his son would be saved. The waters responded to his prayers, and Isidore’s son was rescued from drowning.
According to another legend, fellow farmhands complained that Isidore was always late for work because he went to worship first. The master investigated and found an angel plowing the field while Isidore was praying.
The story of Isidore the Farmer teaches us about the holiness of hard work and the value of labor. Through Isidore’s witness, we see that real abundance is not found through monetary wealth; dignity and holiness can be discovered in an ordinary life dedicated to God. Through our labors, we can also find a relationship with God as the toil of our hands takes care of our fellow humans.
According to legend, a flood nearly one hundred years after Isidore’s death uncovered his body, which was found to be in a state of incorruptibility, meaning it had not undergone normal decomposition. The church has viewed incorruptibility of the body as a sign of sainthood. Isidore the Farmer, the patron saint of farmers and laborers, is celebrated on May 15.
Collect for Isidore the Farmer
God of harrow and harvest: Look with favor upon us as we work wholeheartedly in our ministries that we, like our brother Isidore, might plow alongside unseen angels, find our dinner tables laden with enough to share, and joyfully work toward making your kingdom come on earth; we pray this in the name of the Great Sower of Seeds, Jesus Christ, your son. Amen.
Phocas the Gardener
While our spiritual imagination may draw us to Eden or Gethsemane when we think of gardens, it is quite possible that the small garden of Phocas best illustrates the call to self-sacrificing love given to disciples of Jesus.
Phocas’s garden was part of his first-century, modest, hermetic life outside the gates of Sinope, a town on the southern coast of the Black Sea. The garden was Phocas’s livelihood and his ministry. He lived by selling produce, while also using the garden’s abundance to feed the needy and hungry. At the heart of Phocas’s generosity was his Christian faith, which he sought to share with others just as fully as he shared food from his garden and resting places in his home.
During the Diocletian Persecution, Phocas’s acts of generosity drew scrutiny from the authorities. Soldiers were sent with orders to kill him. Arriving at Sinope, they found the city gates closed. Seeking lodging, they ultimately came to the hermit’s home, where they asked for his assistance in tracking down their target. Without revealing his name, Phocas did for the soldiers what he did for all guests: he received them, fed them from his garden, and gave them shelter in which to sleep in his home. He promised to lead them to the man they sought in the morning.
As they slept, Phocas dug a grave for his burial in the midst of the garden and made arrangements for the distribution of his goods to the poor. In the morning, Phocas revealed his identity and charged the soldiers to fulfill their duty. The soldiers, shocked by the act of hospitality shown by the one they were charged with killing, begged Phocas to recant his beliefs, allowing them to report a fruitless search. It was only when Phocas proclaimed that it was an honor to share in the sufferings of Jesus that the soldiers carried out their charge. Phocas was buried in the midst of his own garden, the place where he had provided unremitting hospitality to friend and enemy alike.
Collect for Phocas the Gardener
Almighty God, you emptied yourself to take on the form of a servant, and you call your disciples to do the same. Kindle in our hearts the same love you bestowed upon Phocas the Gardener, that, in giving of our abundance to serve friend and enemy alike, we may reflect to the world around us the abundant generosity you show to us in your Son Jesus Christ, Our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
[poll id="218"]
166 comments on “Isidore the Farmer vs. Phocas the Gardener”
TOUGH TOUGH TOUGH today. I grew up on a farm and I love to garden and grow things and preserve and cook and all that. It's morning, a difficult time for me on any day, and I haven't "put my hand to the plow" yet, so to speak. I'm waiting for one or the other to grow on me more. They're both so appealing.
Thanks for the "grow on me" pun!
Wow- another difficult and perplexing choice. My father and gradfather were in the horticulture trade (greenhouse & flower shop) so I relate to the green thumb. After thinking and pondering, I came to vote for the gardener (Phocas); the story of hospitality to his executioners made the difference.
I went with Phocas the Gardener. His story reminds me that we have community gardens today and that Michelle Obama's initiative was healthy eating for children. Both of those are good efforts for the common weal. Isidore's story is about the enormous economic benefit of serf/sharecropper labor for massive landowners. Wouldn't the 1% love for armies of angels to work for them for free and increase productivity without pesky unions, health benefits, or retirement packages? There wasn't much in the miracles I could buy. I could imagine someone tending a garden from which he fed the poor. I could also imagine a corrupt authority seeking to kill someone who gave dignity to the poor. So I kept my "focus" and went with Phocas.
Like
Isidore raised someone from the dead! I think that merits my vote.
Phocas - what humility, what unremitting hospitality, what an inspiration! I'm thankful to learn of the lives of those who have lived for Christ - we rarely hear of such courage, humility, and generosity together.
The bio of Phocas confused me, identifying him as a first-century hermit who died in the Diocletian persecution. (Gardening is excellent for one's health and longevity?) It seems, though, that "St. Phocas" combines at least two saints: the first-century Bishop of Sinope and the early fourth century gardener, both martyrs. So I guess today is two Phocases against one Isidore... isn't that unfair odds? (Still, I voted for Phocas. The gardener.)
I'll go with the angels and choose Isadore.
I made my choice because my life needs more "Phocas". 😉
And I like gardening!
This was a tough one!! Both are wonderful examples of how to live our lives. I chose Phocas because he showed the same compassion for human beings he didn’t really like or have to help. That’s the hardest thing to do! It’s easy to be kind and giving to others you like, love or agree with but it takes a lot to show that same treatment to those we dislike or view as different and not worthy. Thanks Phocas the Gardener for being an example to me as I start my day and will for sure encounter people who rub me the wrong way!
Isidore, like Brother Lawrence, found glory in, and praise through common labor in service to others. I have a particular fondness for him. St. Isidor's was our first parish in Yuba City, California, when my husband was stationed with the Air Force at Beale AFB. It served that agricultural area, the farmers and migrant workers and was a welcoming place for the 'migrant military,' as well! I had never heard of him before that time, but he has since grown in my heart. (Pun intended) The collect for St. Isidore is a perfect summary! Isidore had his priorities n order.
The Catholic congregation that meets on Kansas State University campus is called St. Isadore's: the first I'd ever heard of the man. KSU was originally Kansas Agricultural College and boasts of being the first Land-grant university. It is nice to finally learn a bit about its patron saint, though I am not sure which to vote for today. Phocas's story is the sort that makes me cry...
Hi Ruth--retired KSU faculty here, often at St. Isidore's. My husband came from a farm family. Now I'm in Lawrence where it seems a third of the town are master gardeners, so it was a hard choice. But I voted for old home ties and St. Isidore. And isn't it nice to be peacefully contemplating agriculture as the entire state of Kansas starts to go insane over March Madness basketball. (Have to admit, as March goes on, I join in the madness. But I still love the boys at the SEC.)
Nearly an impossible choice today between farmer and gardener. Our church, St, Bede's in Atlanta, has a vegetable garden on our grounds where we grow summer vegetables for our local food pantry. Voting for the gardener.
As I read Isidore's bio and the beautiful collect, I thought, "Easy! How can anyone top this guy?" Then I read about Phocas and thought, "Oh. That's how." Both bios read like otherworldly faerie tales, but both leave me inspired.
Though the death of Phocas may seem a bit of first-century, far-fetched idealism. It reminds of the more attested 16th century story of Dirk Willems. An Anabaptist, he was being chased across a frozen river when his pursuers broke through the ice and were drowning. He turned back and rescued them. Yes, they in turn burned him at the stake. So, you never know. [c.f. The Martyrs Mirror, p.741]
Another toughie. You sure are putting us through our paces! It's the farmer in memory of my grandfather.
The plowing angel inspired my vote for Isidore.
I went with Isidore the farmer because the miraculously replenishing stew pot made me smile. Also, because my mother's an art historian who has studied early medieval Spain extensively.
The best thing I participated in back in high school was the FFA,
not that I became a farmer, but the leadership skills it taught me sure shaped my life,
so today it is Isidore the Farmer.
I go with Phocas although the choice was difficult. Phocas' story seemed more real than legend.
I had never heard of St. Isidore until I moved to PA and learned of an RC St Izzy's parish in northern Bucks County. Interesting to learn of other St. Isidore churches on this thread, also in fittingly agricultural areas. Very hard to choose today! I'm leaning toward Phocas, but I wish his witness of hospitality had converted the soldiers and the story had ended differently. He gave it all he had, though.
Very moved by the story of Phocas the Gardner. Also think it more likely to be true.
I voted for Phocas because I wish that my fidelity was that strong. Alas, I fear I would fail the test.
I had to vote for Isidore. My late father was a devoted Christian and farmer. He faithfully observed the Sabbath with no work in the fields from sundown to sundown - no matter how pressing the planting or harvest. (However, we did milk the cows and feed the chickens!) He taught me so much, especially through his love of the beautiful Iowa farmland.
I must go with Phocas, the martyr who showed hospitality to his own executioners. But I do appreciate the lesson of Isidore's life regarding the holiness of hard work.
I loved Anna's words about Isadore - that he modeled that "dignity and holiness can be found in the ordinary life".
But in our country right now, when we are so separated, Phocas' ability to serve his enemy, proclaim his faith. was most compelling. I wonder if I could be so gracious to an ICE employee or even my relatives who are great supporters of _______.
We all have such relatives. It makes family gatherings very difficult; constant prayer for patience and for the kingdom to be made apparent to all is necessary. It also helps to keep the car keys at hand in case one needs to leave.
Lovely to see your name, Ellen! I remember you from the early days of VTP in Atlanta and at Candler in the early 90’s. New last name now for me, but lots of memories of those days. I hope you’re well and happy.
I share your thoughts on these two. Not sure yet who I will vote for, but leaning toward Phocas.
San Isidro el labrador quita el agua y pon el sol (Saint Isidore the farmer, take away the rain and bring back the sun). We used to say all the time as children when we wanted to play outside and was raining.
That's very sweet.
Thank you. It was. And it reminded me the tropical rain in the summer afternoons in my hometown when I was a child. It also reminded me my grandma who was afraid of thunders. She sat in her room with her rosary in the hands during the rain. Good memories from the past.
the Caribbean?
Thank you for that suggestion. We all frreqwuently don;t know what to do with our surplus when sharing can be very simple.
I know how backbreaking heavy agriculture is. I like Isidore because he remained faithful to his employer, as well as serving others.
(It's "ARCATA" -- I was born there...)
This was a very tough choice. Had to go with Phocas
Phocas for me.
I’m a gardener like Phocas but I figure that perhaps by giving Isidore my vote I can get an angel or two to help with my weeding and such. Isidore was also a tenant farmer like my grandfather, who despite his many flaws, inspires my love of growing food.