The Winter Growing Season

Gospel: Matthew 9: 27-31

Winter is not associated as a time of growth; we tend to think of it as a time of death, barrenness, and void.  But the scientist and farmer know well that winter is the time when the soil is being prepared to receive the seeds of spring and bring forth fruit in later seasons.  Winter soil receives the nutrients of decayed leaves and detritus, as well as the water from melted snow.  The soil is regenerating in order to bring forth new plantings in spring.

Advent is a time of silent growth in the midst of winter (for those of us in the northern hemisphere). Like the two blind men in today's Gospel, we encounter the Lord and he makes us to see this reality of silent growth, and like them Jesus enjoins us to say nothing about it to others.  Like the soil of the earth, our time will come to show others what God has done for us in our lives.  But it will show forth in loving deeds to others - the fruit of our soil - and not in words of boasting.  

So let Advent be for us a time of silent meditation and encounter with the Lord Jesus, a time where the Lord enables us to see these realities of faith, a time for our soil to be prepared in order to bring forth the fruits of mercy and loving service to others.