In the course of my ministry, I have the occasion to drive through various parts of Baltimore several times a week. One of the things that I have come to realize is how many lights there are in the city at night. Driving through, I often look out in the distance, and can see lights several miles away. Such panoramic views of the city serve as a reminder to me of the words of Jesus to his followers in the Gospel of Matthew, “You are the light of the world…A city built on a hill cannot be hid.”
It is my sense that we can forget the words of Jesus amidst the darkness that floods so much of existence. We experience the darkness of political unrest, social disintegration, and economic uncertainty - not to mention spiritual demise. Terror and war has permeated our global conscience, and crime and violence continues to pervade many of the communities and streets of Baltimore. Vivid reminders of this darkness are the blue lights that flash on many of the city’s corners – reminding us that such violence in very real.
Darkness has a way of dimming our view of reality, and making it difficult to see the possibility – even the reality - of light. As I drive through Baltimore, I also have the occasion of traveling through the tunnels of the city several times a week. On entering the tunnels, most of what is experienced is dimness and darkness – the end of the tunnel cannot be seen, and thus there is not much evidence of light. It is at the point of approaching the end of the tunnel, when there is a glimpse of light, that I always experience a sense of hope – a sense that the darkness is about to be over.
One of the things that the Lenten season does for us is gives us the occasion to encounter our personal darkness and to seek the light that is in Christ. These encounters are what John of the Cross was alluding to when he talked about the “dark night of the soul.” David talked about these in terms of walking through the “valley of the shadow of death.”
Amidst these encounters, we have the assurance in the words of Jesus that we are “the light of the world”… and that “a city built on a hill cannot be hid.” And as "lights of the world," we are encouraged to turn on our lights.
One of the most important things that we know about light is that light always overcomes darkness. If light is placed in the proximity of darkness – light always shines through. If we to walk in the light that is Christ – this light will overcome darkness.
It is my sense that we can forget the words of Jesus amidst the darkness that floods so much of existence. We experience the darkness of political unrest, social disintegration, and economic uncertainty - not to mention spiritual demise. Terror and war has permeated our global conscience, and crime and violence continues to pervade many of the communities and streets of Baltimore. Vivid reminders of this darkness are the blue lights that flash on many of the city’s corners – reminding us that such violence in very real.
Darkness has a way of dimming our view of reality, and making it difficult to see the possibility – even the reality - of light. As I drive through Baltimore, I also have the occasion of traveling through the tunnels of the city several times a week. On entering the tunnels, most of what is experienced is dimness and darkness – the end of the tunnel cannot be seen, and thus there is not much evidence of light. It is at the point of approaching the end of the tunnel, when there is a glimpse of light, that I always experience a sense of hope – a sense that the darkness is about to be over.
One of the things that the Lenten season does for us is gives us the occasion to encounter our personal darkness and to seek the light that is in Christ. These encounters are what John of the Cross was alluding to when he talked about the “dark night of the soul.” David talked about these in terms of walking through the “valley of the shadow of death.”
Amidst these encounters, we have the assurance in the words of Jesus that we are “the light of the world”… and that “a city built on a hill cannot be hid.” And as "lights of the world," we are encouraged to turn on our lights.
One of the most important things that we know about light is that light always overcomes darkness. If light is placed in the proximity of darkness – light always shines through. If we to walk in the light that is Christ – this light will overcome darkness.
Thus, the words of the traditional hymn encourage us:
Walk in the light
Beautiful light
Shine where the dew drops of mercy shine bright
Shine all around us by day and by night
Jesus, the light of the world.
Beautiful light
Shine where the dew drops of mercy shine bright
Shine all around us by day and by night
Jesus, the light of the world.
1 comment:
cool...
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