On Being Light

On Being Light

I have enjoyed gathering little things.. the soft leather purse, cowboy hat, framed tapestry, led light candle and English pottery jug are all finds from various 50 percent off senior citizen days at a local Colorado thrift store called Arc.. Flowers are left from the beautiful bouquet my son sent for Valentines Day and the little jewelry box is from my daughter.

I am not sure what to do about this world. Jesus told the disciples to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves.". Serpents and doves.. an oxymoron for sure and it takes a lifetime I suppose to know what that means. I do know it means to not hide from what is going on in the world . Not for one minute..to be aware of danger, alert, paying attention... But harmless as doves? Doves have always been symbols of peace.. how do we acknowledge the presence of danger and yet be bearers of peace? How do we not get swept up in the energy of fear and hate?

I suppose we look at the life of Jesus himself who knew he was heading into the very heart of hatred and that he would die. And yet he didn't hurry his steps.. and when a blind man cried out to him, he turned and spent time with him. He sat down and gathered children on his knee. He told his followers to look at flowers and birds. He took a nap in a storm and told the disciples they could also have that kind of peace. . Every small act of kindness shed some light.. every seemingly unimportant thing defied the gathering darkness. Love will overcome evil. It is the oldest theme of literature.. and we are jaded and afraid. We always say yes yes I know . But not THIS evil..

But yes.. the present evil is no different from the darkness that has always been.. and the small acts of love and light and mercy and trust and acknowledgement of beauty still have an unassuming power.. So watch and pray. Ask for guidance and courage to do the things that are needed.. be willing to die, if you must, for justice..Meanwhile, choose to live day by day as a light bringer, even a joy bringer, to whoever happens to be in your path.