From Darrell's Desk
By Rev. Darrell Maguire
I wonder how many out there in newsletter land have noticed the same trend that I see every time I sit down to watch a few minutes of the Weather Network. I have to say that they do provide valuable information about what is most likely to happen weather-wise. They also have nice little features that show the wonder and power of weather to affect our lives. What I have noticed, though, is the almost giddy nature of those reporting the weather whenever a big storm is coming. They just love to speculate about the significant winds, and snows, and even heavy rains. With great smiles, they predict the storm of the century.
I have also noticed when the weather is calm, that the forecasters seem somewhat bored and cannot wait to finish telling you about your boring weather, and move to another province or even another part of the world where things are a bit more exciting meteorologically speaking.
I cannot blame them however, for their enthusiasm, as “snowmageddon” is about to fall on us. It is what is important to them, and frankly it is something that all of us are impacted by; maybe the only thing. Is that why we love to talk about the weather? No one minds you telling your friends or even acquaintances and even strangers that snow is coming tomorrow. It offends nobody, and even if you do not like the news shared, no one gets riled up at your less than positive views on blizzards. No matter how awkward a conversation may be, you can always talk about the weather. Especially scary encounters with past major storms. I can remember my parents talking to other adults their age about Hurricane Hazel (not the Mississauga mayor), and that happened before I was born. Weather stays with you.
Jesus talked about the weather. In Matthew 16 we read, “The Pharisees and Sadducees came, to test Jesus, they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, when it is evening, you say, ‘It with be fair weather, for the sky is red. And in the morning, it will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” (vv. 1-3) This verse is likely the basis of the saying, “Red at night, sailors' delight. Red at morn, sailors be warned.”
Jesus' point is that the religious leaders were very good at knowing the meaning of atmospheric conditions but could not understand the significance or meaning of the miracles and the teaching Jesus was providing. They kept wanting Jesus to perform signs, even though He had already done some amazing things. To keep with the weather theme, the religious leaders wanted to know which way the wind was blowing, in regards to who Jesus was, and by whose authority he was operating under.
I think this is a perennial problem for human beings. Never before in the history of our human race have we known as much about the weather. We have radar, satellites, monitoring stations by the hundreds, and decades of weather history to build computer models to predict possible outcomes. We can really see and understand the signs, but can we see the signs of God's presence in our midst?
Every kindness, every act of generosity, every sacrifice, and so much more is a sign of God among us. We may see the sign, but do we know what it means? I may know that it is going to snow tomorrow, but do I have faith enough to know that God is moving in our community and in our hearts. Maybe instead of the weather, that is something we should talk about.
