February 17, 2026
Oh, snow season in Cleveland, Ohio is filled with so many hours of the weather person telling us about the next snowstorm and all the reasons we are going to inevitably perish when the white stuff arrives. Upon this news, panic ensues causing the mad rush for people to fill their car’s gas tanks up and long lines at the pump (this action has always made me ponder “well if we are not supposed to go out on the roads, then why does everyone need to have a full tank of gas anyway?”) The fun doesn’t stop there when you live in a 4 season state, because we also get to experience the Armageddon that is thunderstorm/tornado watches and warnings in the spring that also add to the countless hours of staring at the TV watching red and green blobs on the radar that may or may not ever get to where we are.
My point is this… we obsess waiting for bad things to happen and we never will know what the outcome will be until it is done. Just like in weather situations, when there is any kind of “watch” people sit glued to the television freaking out and waiting for the “warning”. Then the “warning” comes and it turns out to be 45 miles from where you live. So, the question this time is “Can you really change it?” Yes, the “watch” is to prepare us, but it is not for us to live our life around it. We consume our lives waiting for the “what ifs” and obsessing about the future rather than making proper provisions and moving on to enjoy the good in the day. We are waiting for signs that do not exist.
What makes us fight against the unknown? Life is going on as we just sit there marveling at despair while others who truly live “in” the day are realizing God’s graces around them. Every decision we do not make is one in itself and can be even more dangerous than doing the wrong thing. Stop concentrating on the potentialities of the “watch” and pray, love and laugh so that you can be protected through whatever comes your way.
Earlier this week in the readings (Matthew 8: 11-13), the Pharisees are asking Jesus for a sign from Heaven in order to test him. I love the calm in which Jesus basically says to the Pharisees “you are ridiculous in your request for a sign from me and guess what, now there will not be one at all for your generation.” See because ultimately, He knows that as people, we just look past the everyday signs he gives us anyway and either take it for granted or make up some “crazy” reason as to why it happened. I feel that in this short reading He reminds them in His own way to go about your business, and you will be sheltered through your faith; in the end all will be revealed for those who believe without seeing.
Posted by Greg Wasinski
