Many years ago, my wife and I became friends with another couple whose parents were farmers. They left the farm life only to return to it ten years later.  Over the years we would get together during the winter when their tasks were maintaining equipment and preparing for the next season.  In many ways, the unknown outcome of planting and harvesting a crop demanded a belief and a faith in “things unseen and yet hoped for.” Paul the apostle, described faith with those words. But he added that faith comes from hearing and what is heard is the word of God.

In today’s second reading Paul uses the analogy of a farmer to describe how patient waiting is a necessary element if we are going to have faith that moves mountains.  The truth is a farmer’s life is unpredictable and much of result of all their efforts is out of their control.  All their time preparing the soil, planting them depends on the weather, which is not tin their control. 

Faith in God is similar, the seed of faith is planted, and its growth depends on how well we nurture it and outside influences which are out of our control.  For a farmer, every day is spent nurturing the crop they hope to harvest.  Overcoming obstacles becomes normal for a farmer and their future depends on them being attentive and never surrendering to those obstacles. 

Overcoming obstacles is also necessary for us to grow as disciples and Advent is a season that demands an active believe and trust God is in control.  Like a farmer we must prepare to receive what God desires to take root within us. Paul wrote “… we have this s treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves” (2Cor.4:7).  We do not think of ourselves as earthen vessel that hold the gift of the Holy Spirit lying dormant, waiting to take root within us. That Spirit needs to take root and grow and begin to produce fruit in abundance. God has planted it, Christ as given it life and we must carefully nurture this earthen vessel so it can grow and become waht God created us to be – witnesses and disciples.

My friend the farmer was always focused on enlarging his ability to produce more. Knowing each year, he was dependent on the right amount of rainfall, the right temperatures, the right amount of sunshine.  All he had control over was preparing the soil. Planting the seed and protecting the plants from insects, weed infestation and fungus.  We are equally dependent on things beyond our control and all we can do is maintain faith in God when the outcome seems unattainable.

Most of us have been in that place where God seems to be silent.  We are begging God to answer our prayers; show us some sign things will improve and yet He is silent.  In those moments, it is normal to have doubts and wonder if God cares about what we are going through. We are not immune to doubting in God’s ability to respond to us.  John the Baptist shows us today how easy it is to have doubts and struggle with what we believe. When things are bleak and we alone, in pain and rejected it is easy to doubt God’s goodness.

John wanted to know if Jesus was the one.  Interesting after spending his life “preparing the way.”  After baptizing Jesus and acknowledging he was not worthy to lace His sandals.  After pointing to Jesus as He passed by, boldly proclaiming Jesus was the lamb of God he still wanted to know if He was the one. 

We are no different but instead of seeking proof of His divinity we want Him to intervene and answer our prayers. God always hears all our prayers and He always answers them.  No, it is not what you are thinking, He never says no to us, and He never says not now.  What God does is answer our prayers exactly as we are asking or He removes our need to have it answered in a specific way.

That is why His answer to John was to remind him about the miracles.  We would do well to remember the miracles.  They still happen today.  Each Sunday we have a team of individuals praying with people.  Miracles in our own parish and perhaps we should start to make them known.

Yes, when you are in deep pain you want God to give you a sign He hears you. Perhaps there is a response, but we fail to recognize it.  We want visible proof not some stories as Juhn received.  Perhaps if we believed instead of doubted, we would be strengthened and able to rejoice despite our pain.

Bul like John we ask for God to give us a sign as proof.   What are our expectations as we continue this journey of expectation?

Are we like all farmers filled with expectation of abundant growth? Or do we expect this year to be like last year?  If you are not looking forward to seeing God do marvelous things among us, work miracles among us and fill us with a renewed faith then you have joined John in that prison cell and will remain wondering if you have done what God desired.