PENTECOST XXV
November 10, 2024
“We Need Some Light!”
There’s something about November, and not much of it is especially delightful. Even though the weather reporters have been telling us that we’re experiencing above-normal temperatures, the overcast and rainy days have that raw, chilly edge to them. And although the daylight is decreasing at a deliberate pace, it seems to be disappearing very quickly. Making a quick run to the nearby grocery store results in a drive home in total darkness, a harsh contrast to our long summer twilight evenings.
At least we can commiserate with one another, as everyone seems to be moping or grumbling through the gray days and pathetically grateful for the rare sunny ones. So let’s try to find some words of hope and encouragement, reminding us that, just as God’s beautiful creation undergoes changes throughout the year, our weariness and gloom are not permanent conditions.
We can literally start at the beginning, in the Book of Genesis, Chapter 1, as we read that darkness covered the face of the deep. “Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.” And so began the creation of all things. Psalm 119 is long and multi-faceted, including statements of faith, as verse 105 speaks of the importance of listening to and learning from God’s Word: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” If we’re stumbling around in spiritual or personal darkness, struggling to find our way, we will find hope and assurance in the scriptures. The ancient prophecy of Isaiah promises: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.” (9:2-3)
The first chapter of the Gospel of John describes the creative nature of God’s Word, and its life- and light-bringing quality. In verse 9, we learn of John the Baptist’s witness to the coming of Christ: “The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.”
These verses, and many others, that speak of light and darkness aren’t actually referring to the presence or absence of daylight, but to those times of spiritual darkness, of doubt and hopelessness, of wondering if we’ll ever be able to see where we should go and how to get there. Our worries and fears are very real, and we are blessed to have the assurance that our Lord Jesus understands and cares about the burdens we carry. We are invited to bring our cares to him, ask for strength and guidance, and know that we do not bear them alone.
These short, often gloomy days can be seen as an appropriate time to reflect on the opportunities we have as God’s people in this world. It’s interesting that Jesus told his disciples that he was the light of the world, but also then said: “You are the light of the world . . . let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14, 16) This, then, is the good news, that we can so shine before others, dissipate the darkness, and bring the light of Christ to all the world.
Brightening up,
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers