Autumn and Spring

Now learn a parable of the fig tree: when his branch is yet tender,

and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh (Mt.24, 32)

When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say,

There cometh a shower; and so it is. And when ye see the south wind blow,

ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. (Lk.12, 54-55)

The nature teaches us a lot. This is an ever opened book, and everyone can study it if they want to. Everything wakes up in spring, everything starts to breathe and live, the joy of life overcomes us – eyes rest at this miraculous view and everything within us as if softens up under the life-giving rays of sun. Shouldn’t everything good awake within us as well? Shouldn’t our hearts warm up at the sight of every need and the stream of love in us get stronger?

Do all of our thoughts go up to the Creator? Do we feel an unstoppable desire to open up our hearts in a prayer before Him?

Fall and winter are usually compared to the elderly years; and sad thoughts come to mind at the sight of dying nature. But even though the sight of a bare tree is sad, we can see blue sky through the dry branches. Not only everything joyful fall away with years; everything does. We don’t worry about everyday squabbles and cares; worldly vanity is not appealing to us any more; all little things, that keep us down to earth, fall off by themselves like dry leaves. It gets so much easier, when fee of unnecessary burdens, we can submit ourselves to the spiritual life.

A tired traveler is not sad when approaching the desired destination. Why would we be sad when coming close to the desired destination, when we can foretaste that eternal bliss, yet incomprehensible to us, when we get overwhelmed by a premonition of that eternal spring, when we will rise from dead, after we complete our earthly journey?