Darkness and Light

In every moment, there is an opportunity. 

All the darkness in the world. 

The light of life. 

David Steindl-Rast writes, “Life is given to us; every moment is given. The only appropriate response therefore is gratefulness.” Life is full of moments that cause us pain and suffering. Daily struggles and challenges greet and accompany us as we travel this journey of being human. David teaches that we are not to be grateful FOR everything that happens, but rather that we can be grateful IN every moment. Grateful for the opportunity to respond. HOW we respond matters. THAT we respond matters. 

“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” I wrote this quote from St Francis of Assisi in my journal, because there is darkness. There are things that fuel our fears. There are many who feel an unimaginable sense of despair. The Peace Prayer, says, “where there is despair, (let me sow) hope.” Feelings of despair and hopelessness are very real, in our own lives and in the lives of those around us. But just as we are surrounded by opportunities to react to the darkness, we are also given opportunities to respond with faith, in love, and with hope.  

In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of light.” I believe this. I believe that in the life of Jesus, we see how powerful the light of one life can be. I recognize there are many sources of darkness in this world, but I spend a lot of time thinking of those people who have this light of life. The people who live very real lives in the tumult of life but still choose to be grateful for what is. The opportunities, even in the darkness, to reflect the same love and hope that Jesus reflected.  

Today, may we recognize the moments and the opportunities to spread love, light, and hope. May we respond with a light that cannot be extinguished.