In a world of so much darkness,

we reflect on the ways in which we can be

lights that encourage others.

As I write, I am at Jan’s cottage on the Gulf Coast. This morning, as the sun rose over the bay, the light reflecting from the water seemed even brighter than the light of the sun itself.

A few minutes later, during morning prayer, I read these words: “God our Father, when you gave us your Son, your light came into the world. May we welcome him in our lives, and thus be a light to our brothers and sisters” (Benedictine Daily Prayer, p. 1090).

“And thus be a light to our brothers and sisters.” I was reminded of the meme I saw a few days ago on Facebook. In large print, it read, “Wanted: Encouragers.” Then, in much smaller type, it continued, “[We have a surplus of critics already, thanks.]” It was signed, “The World.”

And then, later this morning, I saw the comment one Facebook friend had left for another. The first Facebook friend posted that she had just been unanimously approved for ordination in my denomination. The other friend, who serves on the Committee on Ministry that approved her ordination, posted this comment: “Just so you know, you were approved for ordination because at every stage of the process you were exceptional…. The Church … is blessed to have you and the Church needs you… especially now, as we all get to think anew about what being church really means. You can be the light that guides us.”

Yes, you too, friends: You can be the light that guides us. You can be the voice who affirms and encourages others. You can be the one who reflects God’s love, and, thus, be a light for your brothers and sisters.

Why not start today?

Some days these days are hard. Hard to fight the dark and let the light mark our day. Hard to reach out and touch someone when we crave a touch, a hug, so much.

Even when days are not so bright, we might bring light, sometimes although, with a fight. Master of spiritual freedom, Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) suggests practicing agere contra, or to “work against”; that is, intentionally to act against acedia, aridity, animosity, --in a word, darkness. Ignatius specifically recommends agere contra when one’s prayer life falls flat, when seeds turn to weeds. In the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius, he writes: “…in order to act against (agere contra) the desolation and conquer the temptations, we ought always to stay somewhat more than the full hour in prayer; so as to accustom oneself not only to resist the adversary, but even to overthrow the dark spirit.” [Exx 13]

During the recent holidays, crowdsourced virtual choirs managed to work against pandemic darkness by bringing light to our blighted spirits. And who didn’t feel the lift in the lilt of Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem, “The Hill We Climb”? Combine the two, (crowdsourcing and poetry) and we have this crowdsourced poem: “This is Our Dream.” Please listen here.

Might we take the advice of Ignatius and spend an hour pondering the words of this poetic encouragement, “This is Our Dream” or “The Hill We Climb”? How might we be the light to someone else? Are we brave enough?

Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman closes her tribute to the world with this encouragement:

“When day comes we step out of the shade,

aflame and unafraid,

the new dawn blooms as we free it.

For there is always light,

if only we're brave enough to see it.

If only we're brave enough to be it.”

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