Lumen Christi

Image by Middle-Fork (Click on image for larger version)

Nothing on my own calendar of calamities can override the approach, the arrival, the afterglow of Easter. Nothing in my life can diminish the light of the Risen Christ. And yet I might find myself lost in the deep folds of a forest where the light of Easter is distant: out there, over there, up there, shining on others but not on me... There can be times when seeing the light in the distance might be more painful than seeing no light at all: why is it shining there, on others - but not here, on me?

The image above might be helpful for those who find themselves in the dark, in the light of these Paschal days...

The light is shining over and through these woods even where the long shadows leave dark traces on the ground. See how the light moves and plays in and among the shadows... See how the beams of light stretch forth from source and power unseen, searching out those lost in the dark... See how the light has greened the forest's carpet even in the dark places... See how the trees block the light and at the same time shield us from what might be too bright for a first glance... Even that which blocks the light allows us to see the path the light spreads before us: a path that leads from the darkness behind us to the light making its way through shadows we fear... And see how, almost within arm's reach, the light pierces through the leaves with a warmth to take the chill of night away...

Nothing on my own calendar of calamities can override the approach, the arrival, the afterglow of Easter... Nothing in my life can diminish the light of the Risen Christ... For Christ is the Light no darkness can extinguish...

-ConcordPastor