Saturday, November 23, 2013

Eric #11107 - part 2

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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