We humans contribute to the world’s gloom,
like dark shadows on a dark landscape.…
But now this man from Nazareth comes to us
and invites us to mirror God’s image,
and shows us how.
He says:
you too can become light, as God is light.
What is all around you is not hell,
but rather a world waiting to be filled with hope and faith.
This world is your home as surely as the God who created and wrought it is love.
You may not believe it, but you can love this world.
It is a place of God.
It has a purpose.
Its beauty is not a delusion.
You can lead a meaningful life in it.
~Jörg Zink “Doors to the Feast”
In this dark world we search for inspiration and a sense of purpose in the most unlikely places:
this past week, we were awestruck by the devotion of a mother killer whale in nearby Puget Sound who has carried her dead baby on her nose for over a week, unwilling to abandon the lifeless body to the sea.
There is tragic beauty in such demonstration of profound love, a recognition of our own losses and helplessness in the face of death.
We too are carried by our Savior through His relentless devotion and love for us, never to abandon us.
Even in the face of loss and consumed by the darkness of the world, we love as we are loved, body of His body.
HOW TO SWIM AN ELEGY
Lo, let that night be desolate;
let no joyful voice come therein.
Let them curse it that curse the day,
who are ready to rouse up leviathan.
—Job 3:7-8
~Craig Van Rooyen—from Poets Respond
“I Am the light of the world.”
“In the darkest night of the year,
when the lights have all gone out.
Courage is better than fear,
faith is truer than doubt.” – “Ultima Veritas,” Washington Gladden
-Alan
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All the thoughts expressed here come at a very appropriate time in our bleeding, discordant, nation’s history — not the first time — but this time seems to be so
different. I have read each presentation several times and each time, my heart was filled with hope and trust because I do believe that His Presence is always with us — as Isaiah’s message from God tells us: “I will not forget you; I hold you in the palm of my hand.’
The frightening, ominous signs appearing worldwide, including within our own nation, point to the possibility of terrible events in our near future. That is the perfect time for us, then, as followers of Christ and for those of other faith traditions to try with all in our power to be the LIGHT that is so desperately needed,
Thank you, Emily, for your contribution and those of others in today’s posting. My soul has been fed, assured once again, of the hope that He brings to us….
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When I heard about the mother whale days ago, it really tugged at my heart. We don’t have all of the answers and who knows what that whale was thinking or feeling. I am thankful to know the one that does..
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Thank you Tahlequah, J35, for helping us all to grieve what needs to be grieved. We love you and your families.
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