Dear Eric #11107 - part 2
The second issue that arises
from your post is the tendency of some people to seek darkness.
Just about everyone
understands the light/darkness dichotomy -- it is found in pop culture such as
Star Wars. It was recently the basis of
the Gospel reading of the wise and foolish virgins -- a story rooted in real
life even to the 20th century (see Barclay's Commentary on Matthew).
But a recent event in my life
showed me a new insight into this image.
I was on a 2.5 day retreat at a Jesuit retreat House (Ignatius House in
Atlanta). There was light
everywhere: in the Word, in the retreat
master, in the glow in the sky from a major city, in the halls 24x7 for
security. Then on Saturday, while it was
still light out, a storm went through, knocking out the power. Dinner and the last conference were done with
no electric lights, just as night was falling.
There was a scramble to find candles to allow us to navigate the dark
halls, the emergency power system having been exhausted.
Just as we were retiring, the
power came back. But the next morning,
just as the morning bell sounded, out again went the power. Breakfast with no power was more limited than
would otherwise be the case. This time
the power returned in time for the final Eucharist. At that time we shared our experiences of the
retreat.
It seems that when the storm
came through on Saturday, a number of people were in the nearby woods. Those woods have a number of old large tall
trees, not the place to be in the storm.
Several stories included the sound of limbs crashing to the ground as
the winds blew through. All escaped
unharmed but not untouched. Prayer on
the occasion of danger burns deeper into our heart.
I am presently in the
Washington DC area. The residents are
still recovering and remembering the events here associated with the
snipers. Last light, at dinner, it was
pointed our that, on the way to the restaurant, we passed the site of one of
the shootings.
Where I am staying is close
to the Pentagon. When I passed through
last August, it was pointed out the side that is renewed and rebuilt after the
events of September 11, 2001.
Two cases of darkness
visiting and passing away, but the memories and therefore emotions, linger.
I have seen on StR's since I
have been a member a tendency of some to focus on the dark side of things,
specifically the church. In view of the
ongoing scandals and their painful resolutions, it is somewhat understandable.
But on that retreat I came to
a new appreciation of light and darkness.
We are so bathed in light
that we have lost our appreciation of light and darkness. We use light to drive away fear, loneliness,
and boredom. The shiny is now mundane.
But when electricity is shut
off, we are left with not just darkness but quiet. Then it is when we can disconnect from the
world, and connect with God. For as the
prophet said, the Lord comes not in the wind and thunder, but in the gentle
breeze. We find it difficult to
experience it without being still.
Christ is indeed the light of
the world. But for his light to be seen,
we must remove the glitter that blinds us.
For us to sense the Spirit of God, the breathe of God, the gentle breeze
that blows through our souls if we let it, we must build a windbreak against
the hurricane of Hollywood.
And so we frame a new
paradox. We shut off the light of the
world that we may be warmed by the Light of the world. We accept the absence of electric light so we
may open the window of our hearts to the quiet Presence.
So Eric if you must be a
crusader, be a Knight who accepts the responsibility to lift up the light of
Christ in the world. You might start
where you are going to school. Your
bishop, Donald Wuerl, is one of the most influential and respected bishops in
the US and in the world (he used to work in the Vatican and is respected
there). He is a great communicator. He is also a soft spoken gentleman. Get to know him.
Richard (formerly of
Northside Pgh)
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