Light in the Darkness

Light in the Darkness
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5).”  Today marks the 2020 Winter Solstice, the day with the least hours of light this year, but for many this year has felt especially dark for months. The good news is, after today we begin to gradually increase the amount of light each day, till the Summer Solstice in June. Much like increased darkness in our days, months of despair can rob us of our confidence and sense of orientation. Like darkness, despair, which is often perceived as an opposing force, is rather the absence of hope in our lives, just as darkness is actually the absence of light. We must learn to accept despair for what it actually is, the absence of hope. It’s from that place of truth that we can begin to find our way out. The average human eye can detect the light of a candle from more than a mile away, and the darker it is the more sensitive to light our eyes become. Imagine being in a pitch-black room and lighting a candle. Such a simple almost insignificant thing can instantly transform the darkness. Likewise, hope can transform despair! It doesn’t require a great measure of hope to counterbalance what often seems overwhelming in our lives. Just as the light of a single candle can transform the darkness of a dark room, so too, just a mustard seed of hope transforms the darkness and despair in our lives.
Dear friends, we must become intentional about developing an abiding sense of hope in our lives during our days of darkness. There are many sources of hope in one’s life, such as faith, community, friends, and family, even the hope an opportunity of a new year, just to name a few. And It doesn’t have to be a grand or dramatic plan, just a dream, or a simple glimmer of hope will often suffice. Just an intentional thought, that the darkness is only temporary will often let a glimmer of light in. Friends, never underestimate the impact of the light of Christ, which dwells in the life of each of you as believers. During these dark days of fear and social separation, just a simple phone call or card can provide the light of hope that overcomes the darkness in the heart of those you reach out to. Never underestimate the power of a glimmer of hope or the enlightening impact of the light of Christ that resides in you, so “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matt. 5-16).”
Grace and peace always,
Fr. Greg+

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