Dark light, brilliant sight, hear the wish I wish tonight
Monday, March 18, 2013
Fifth Week of Lent
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031813.cfm
John 8:12
Jesus spoke to the people, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
But the Pharisees tried to blunt his words to the people with skepticism. “All we have is your word on this. We need more than that to go on.”
I have a very bad cold and am sleeping on and off. As I write this it’s the middle of the night. I look up through a window at a dark red sky laced with empty black branches. Although my mind reminds me that dawn will come in a few hours, and with it light, I am caught up in the darkness. Hidden here behind the night, I long to close my eyes and see Jesus.
In today’s first reading (Daniel 13, which is found in the Deuterocanonical portion of the Bible, often called the Apocrypha), Susanna, an innocent woman, is victimized by accusations of two lustful, evil, old men. It’s an old, old story, and a good one. The key, kairos moment, comes when Susanna is led through the crowd toward her execution. “God stirred up the holy spirit of a young boy named Daniel,and he cried aloud: ‘I will have no part in the death of this woman.’ ”
Daniel closed his eyes to what everyone else saw and heard the voice of God. He spoke the words he heard. The Holy Spirit’s words stopped this execution in its tracks, and in a new trial Susanna was exonerated.
The greatest of the 19th century Russian mystics, St. Seraphim of Sarov, speaks of the Holy Spirit:
“When by the omnipotent power of faith and prayer our Lord God the Holy Spirit condescends to visit us, and comes to us in the plenitude of His unutterable goodness, we must be dead to prayer.
“The soul speaks and converses during prayer, but at the descent of the Holy Spirit we must remain in complete silence, in order to hear clearly and intelligibly all the words of eternal life which he will then deign to communicate. Complete soberness of soul and spirit, and chaste purity of body is required at the same time.
“The same demands were made at Mount Horeb, when the Israelites were told not even to touch their wives for three days before the appearance of God on Mount Sinai. For our God is a fire which consumes everything unclean, and no one who is defiled in body or spirit can enter into communion with Him.” *
Behind Jesus’ words are the same warning and the same promise. “Follow me,” says Jesus, “step by step into purifying fire. Close your eyes to see, close your mouth to hear. God is stirring up your spirit and opening your mind. Stop second guessing me. Come and listen.”
Lord God, you are my shepherd, and I am your lamb. When I walk through the darkened valley, I feel evil but I do not fear it, because you are with me. Your rod and staff are strong against my shoulder, and they comfort me. I am hungry now, but I know you are leading me into marvelous green pastures, and spreading a table for me even in the presence of those who want only to kill and destroy. You are the Anointer, you are the Protector, you are God, and my cup overflows with your mercy. (Psalm 23)
* http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/sermon_st_seraphim.htm
