A Fragment of Light in You, In Me
There is a fundamental truth that underlies how I see the world and my place in it. It is that God first loved me, forgave me, embraced me as I am, and continues to give me abundant love and mercy every day of my life. Believing this, I am compelled by Jesus in the Gospel (Luke 6:27-38) to treat others in the way that God treats me. It’s not how I think I should treat others or whether or not I feel someone deserves my love and mercy, but how God treats me and every other person in this world.
The Light Within
Candlelight transforms a room. Growing up, we lit the tapers right before holding hands to pray, the smell of turkey wafting through the room. We’d stare into the flames as we each said out loud what we were thankful for. The prayers, honest and beautiful, held the space in a moment of peace and joy.
Awakened By the Light
“the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1-5)
I love watching and waiting for the sun to rise, especially as the light steadily illuminates distant hills and trees one branch at a time, as if the woods are waking up and welcoming the sun’s rays. At this time of year, the bare trees seem empty of color, yet the sun’s light emblazes and reveals unexpected tones.