I wanted to take a minute to reflect on this current season that we find ourselves in. The clocks have moved backward, winter is (mostly) here, and the days are getting darker in seemingly more ways than one. Darkness isn’t hard to find, even if you’re not looking for it. There are no shortage of things, whether it be an election, a serious illness, COVID, difficulties paying rent and basic needs, ongoing violent conflicts around the world, the list goes on.
If you turn on the news, check social media, you’ll find endless lists of darkness. How often, though, do we have the presence of mind to list the light? As much as the darkness may convince you that it has won and is winning, there are a multitude of places in scripture that reassure us that this is not the case, as it says in John 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
People around the world have lived under oppression, and have seen the rise and fall of corrupt empires. We have seen kings rise to power only to be toppled from their thrones. The poor continue to suffer and the rich continue to get richer. Yet, as scripture reminds us, there will never exist darkness without light, hatred without love, violence without peace, death without life, or despair without hope.
St. Francis once wisely said, “A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.”
What are the “sunbeams” we have in times of darkness? Let’s think of them. Every day that the sun rises is a reason for hope. Every day that the Lord wakes us up for the day is a day that we have been given. Every breath we take is a blessing. If I’m able to walk, each step is a celebration. Every day we are awake and alive is a reason for hope. Even our grief is a reason for hope, because it means that love exists and that there are still people moved to compassion and sorrow for the suffering of others.
Grace and light,
Fr. Felix
Our Lady of Light Old Catholic Church
Our Lady of Light 