Dec 05-06, 2020
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Raphael ChowOther than winter sport enthusiasts, I doubt if any person would welcome the coming of the winter season.
In North America, winter brings freezing breeze, persistent cloudy grey sky, shortened daytime, and the boring, detestable long night. When winter comes, nowhere can we see bright-green leaves and nowhere can we find colourful flowers. In winter, butterflies are gone, bees are hiding. All we can see is evergreen trees and leafless branches. Around us is either the lifeless water, or grey-greenish grass, either empty streets, or pedestrians shaking in cold. Winter is not my favorite season.
However, winter does have its merits. An article in Reader’s Digest states that winter slims us down naturally, quickens our minds, helps prevent infection, alleviates allergies, allows us to sleep better, and strengthens our heart (exercising in cold weather is even better, because the heart needs to pump more blood to compensate heat lose, therefore beef up the heart muscle). Another article in TIME magazine claims that winter reduces crime, abbreviates military confrontation, fights bugs, reduces physical pain, and potentially prolongs our lives (This one is probably a stretch, although experiments show that cold weather allows worms and mice live a longer life.). The benefits of winter season might not be known to everyone.
I perceive the similarities in spiritual realm. Time of hardship suffocates us. However, like the cold weather in winter, hardship purifies our soul, advances our faith and love, just as St. John of the Cross expressed in his Dark Night of the Soul. Who would welcome “dark nights,” be it physical or spiritual? Yet, let us ponder on the psalmist’s writing: “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” (Psalm 119:71). The Apostle Paul also says “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.” (Colossians 1:24). In addition, Peter contents that “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21). The life journey of Christians should be one filled with hardships.
Hardship, or suffering, however, is not the end. Paul proclaims that “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18) Spring for sure will come after winter, just as sun rise is certain after dark night. Seeds which survived winter will grow into strong fruitful plants.
A day in winter reminds us that the Lord is graceful. He is still in control, working on us and blessing us.
May our lives glorify the name of our Lord in winter time as in any other time.