21 September 2005

From the rite of "Welcome of Inquirers"

The third mark in this rite continues as our eyes are marked. We hear these words as the cross is traced over the eyes: Receive the cross on your eyes, that you may see the light of Christ, illumination for your ways.

We see light because we have experienced darkness. The smallest light can change the entire world of darkness. Yesterday I was up and out of the house a bit after 5a.m. It was extremely dark as I walked down the stairs and yet a light was shining indirectly through one of our windows and it was enough to help me see the outlines of things in the house and the pathway to the rooms I needed to enter. When it is dark within our lives....dark for any number of reasons...so dark that we are not quite sure if we will be able to see enough to make it through the day...so dark our hearts are heavy and we cannot find a reason to continue or press beyond the place in life we find ourselves, the light of the Christ - the light of God with us - the light that will not be put out - the light that will break into and through any darkness, will give us a way through the darkness. I don't think the darkness ever goes away. In fact, I think the darkness loves to press itself over us so that we will not move or go beyond the place in which we now stand. But we have this promise that our God will be a light that will not go out in just those kind of places. It may not seem light the biggest light in the world - but so little can be so powerful when it is let loose within the darkness of our lives. You may not know it, but some of you have been that light for me. Just enough to remind me of a promise. Just enough to remind me that darkness is not the final word and the light of God's promises that are announced to me in many shapes and forms will always find a way to lead me and guide me.

Connection: Who will serve you today as a light in the middle of the darkness of the day at hand? Then again, how much light do you need to see you through your dark times. If you need more light, there are people all around who can be that for you. Sometimes we need to let it be known that we are not able to see - things are too dark to move ahead...even just a bit.

Lord of Light, you continue to pierce the darkness of these days through many ways and at times we may not even realize that we are wandering in sheer darkness. Bless us with the brilliant illumination of your promises for life eternal - life to its fullest. Amen.