The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not overcome it.
John 1:5

Having been born and raised in a warmer, more southern part of the country, one dimension of life in the northeast that I have never grown accustomed to is the increased diminishment of light during the autumn and winter seasons. It may be only a bit less sunlight than an hour a day. But I do notice the difference. Afternoon tea or coffee becomes more important. Early morning reveals that I am at times "motivationally challenged."

Sometimes this astronomical phenomenon affects my spiritual well-being. The world surrounds me with dimness, darkness, and diminishment of quality relations. Politicians intentionally try to scare whatever daylight is left in me. Perceived diminishment of life can become an occasion for despair or for highlights of hope.

The verse from John's Gospel is sublimely simple and filled with God's promise. Christ our light has entered the darkness. John's testimony points to Joseph Sittler's testimony: "Christ cannot be a light that lighteth every person coming into the world, if He is not also the light that falls upon the world into which every person comes." Sittler's testimony points to Gerhard Frost's testimony: "If I am asked what are my grounds for hope, this is my answer: light is lord over darkness, truth is lord over falsehood, life is ever lord over death. Of all the facts I daily live with, there's none more comforting than this: if I have two rooms, one dark, the other light, and I open the door between them, the dark room becomes lighter without the light one becoming darker."

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light. Amen
      Portion of a prayer attributed to St. Francis

Contributed by Pastor Dan
Published Sunday October 24, 2004
Week 48 of Liturgical Year C