We see signs around us in nature and in the world, and they predict what is going to happen next. As Jesus says, when we see a fig tree in bloom, we know that summer is drawing near. There are a lot of people, especially farmers, who rely on the weather predictions made in the Farmer’s Almanac. This is what is says for this year: “exceptionally cold, if not downright frigid weather will predominate over parts of the Northern Plains, Great Lakes, Midwest, Ohio Valley, the Middle Atlantic, Northeast, and New England this winter…. shots of very cold weather will periodically reach as far south as Florida and the Gulf Coast.” Not a lot of consolation for us after a very hot and humid summer, is it? In fact, when we favorite baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, won this year, there was a cartoon circulating around the internet that showed two devils shivering and freezing in hell, huddled around in warm blanket. One devil was explaining to the other: “The Cubs are playing the Indians in the World Series this year.” We see signs here on earth that tell us things, but sometimes we miss the signs of God’s kingdom. Advent will start this upcoming Sunday, a time of preparation and planning and waiting. We will prepare for the birth of Jesus. We will prepare for a life of discipleship. May we not miss God’s signs that he is sending to communicate to us.
No comments:
Post a Comment