This is the very first and only bloom, not even open yet, on the Forsythia at Holy Redeemer Church in Andrews NC at the mid-end of February. In legend, they are supposed to be the first to bloom as harbingers of Spring, but this year there were about half a dozen other varieties that just beat them to it. I always remember the Forsythia being first in line. Does that mean – in Farmers Almanac fashion – that we will have a late Spring this year? Yesterday it was in the 60s Fahrenheit. Today will be the same. I wanting to plant vegetables but I know it’s too early. It’s still going to freeze hard quite a number of times, perhaps even get below zero a number of times.
What would the Holy Family do? Not worry about it. God provides, at least to get us to heaven. And that’s what’s most important. That’s a super-important lesson to learn in this life, to have our eyes peeled on heaven even while we love neighbor and God in the same act of love. In a previous Flower for the Immaculate Conception, the Star of David was recalled. The full reality is going on all the time, no harbingers needed. The closer we are to God, the more wisdom to see what’s actually going on. No need for harbingers. We are just to be the eager children of God, being signs to the world in prompt obedience to God’s will, harbingers of the Prince of the Most Profound Peace precisely when and where He wants us there for that. Mary was the best at that.
ARISE! LET US BE GOING! 