Ah, you who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20)

Food for Thought

The Parable of the Frozen Ground

To what can we compare the Kingdom of God?

It is like the frozen ground in winter. Hard. Solid. Snow-covered, the soil appears lifeless. It is unworkable by human hands. No pick or shovel can turn it over, manipulate it, or cultivate it. No manual strength of ours seems to be able to break through the earth's crust in winter.

In the wintertime, you have to be careful when walking over the icy surface. It can be slippery and cause one to stumble.

Under the frozen layers, there is an unseen movement. As the water in between pebbles, rocks, and soil hardens, it expands. It is strong enough to crush, twist, and upheave. Following ancient and mysterious rhythms, ice moves slow and deliberate to shape. New possibilities emerge as ice cracks open the strongest of rocks.

Beneath the icy crust, seeds rest and wait, and feel the creative pressure. They keep company with the roots of sleeping trees and dormant bushes. Nothing looks alive or promising. Yet hidden from sight, everything remains vibrant and full of potential. At the right time, spring will come. The frozen ground will thaw and reveal a fresh wave of life.

Prayer:

Light a candle (or two candles on your Advent wreath), take a deep breath, and pray…

O Come Creator of celestial light and shine on all creation. Shine into this world that is so befuddled and confused that I lack the capacity to discern the difference between good and evil, right and wrong, Godly delight and that which brings you disdain. Open my heart. Instruct me by your love. Open my eyes that I might see your path. Open my will that I might have the needed courage to follow your light. Through the Resurrected Body of Christ, Amen.