By Sister Doreen, SSJD
The Anglican Church Calendar Quote for November “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb” (Revelations 21:23)
“The City doesn’t need sun or moon for light. God’s Glory is the light. The Lamb it’s lamp! “ (Message translation)
In the booklet “Night Prayer – An Order for Compline published in 2001 Anglican Church of Canada – there is a preface that I have found very helpful time and time again as I read it, and that part of it that I find most affirming when thinking of darkness, I share with you as I begin this reflection. “Night is not always peaceful … we are vulnerable to both external forces and to the hidden darkness of our own hearts and minds. The biblical imagery in Night Prayers affirms the presence of the One who both surrounds and fills us and places us within the safe circle of God’s love. Our awareness of divine love acts as a catalyst that enables us to meet the challenges of night (darkness) and to grow in faith ‘even while we sleep’ … empowers us to negotiate the ‘dark’ segments of our life journeys … to learn to surrender conscious control into God’s hands, to trust even when we are vulnerable … to walk through the darkness and allow God to transform the deepest darkness of our own souls, our most secret faults, and bring us to the light of eternal day … Night Prayer has a profound capacity for both personal and corporate transformation.”
Imagine my life – your life – as a city that doesn’t need light, doesn’t need it to transform or take away the dark and fearful – because my life – your life is filled and surrounded by God’s glory! Imagine my life – your life – as a city that is the apple of God’s eye! Imagine my life – your life – as a city held in God’s hands within the safe circle of God’s love! To be so open to the glory of God that we allow that glory, that light to penetrate and illuminate all the darkness that we encounter within and without. That even in the dark there is light, that darkness is not dark to God – that darkness and light are both alike! We pray and say that over and over again in the psalms. (Psalm 139:12) This month’s quote is asking us to really believe this and to live in this truth.
When I began to ponder this quote, and the thoughts that began to fill my heart and soul, my mind took me to some poem prayers that Joyce Rupp wrote in her book “Anchors for the Soul” and it seemed like a wonderful way to share these as we think about God’s glory as a light and a lamp. We, each one of us, are being invited into God’s city – into our very own self – into the real heart of God’s world and each other: darkness, fear, anxiety, anger, wars, and all that separates us one from the other – all the dark seasons and experiences of our lives and the life of the world – it is as if we can hear God saying ‘you have no need of them’, for around it all, and around you, and around each other and the whole cosmos, the glory of God wraps you in the loving wisdom and intimate presence of God. Around you always, in whatever circumstances and seasons of life you are in, is the glory of God.
May these poem prayers open new doors of trust and hope and love in us. You will find some of them speak more deeply than others. Read them slowly, stop and ponder them. May some of them bless you as they have blessed me.
“Energising wisdom – Sophia, holy Wisdom, a life-giving energy in my spirit, coaxes, urges, encourages me to come into the deep recesses where I have not yet been transformed. She guides me inward, saying, ‘Do not fear: be of great courage; you will find blessings for your spirit in these dark places of your deepest self. You will bring them up into the light and discover they are your greatest treasures.’”
“Each day the Dawn-Bringer calls to us: ‘Open the door. Explore what you believe and know, investigate what you do not believe and do not know. Seek my dawning light within the fragments of your daily happenings. Search within yourself for path that lead to love. Lift the shades of the windows of your shadowy heart-room. Welcome the coming of each secret that shows its face to you. Venture into illuminating self-acceptance so more of my radiant beauty shines forth from you.’”
“Darkness exists as a natural path of life, but I fought this reality for years. It always seemed like a powerful intruder into my light-filled life. I had this notion that if I thought or did the right things, then my life would always unfold the way I wanted; the way I wished; I could avoid anguishing, bleak times. Consequently, when the dark moments showed up, I felt something must be terribly wrong with me. I presumed I had failed in some significant way because I had not figured out how to deep darkness from invading my life. It has taken a long time for me to acknowledge darkness as an essential element for personal growth. Dark times have helped me to grow.”
“Through the ages people have been drawn to the lights of the heavens, not only because these lights comfort and guide in darkness, but because these vast twinkling masses of lights evoke a cosmic mystery. They stand as messengers of some limitless connection beyond human perception. As I stand in my own small space of the planet, reveling in the power and beauty of the heavens, I feel a great unity with al beings, and it fills me with awe.”
“You dance amid the sky’s colourful bow, flinging needed hope into the far realms, a sign to each person in a desperate life that their pain is not the ultimate end. Anticipation of the lessening of troubles sings through the spectrum of colours in which you dwell as bringer of change. You reside as a bright promise of better days, like the parting of dark clouds showing light after a crushing storm with thrashing rain, and I look for hope in my life.”
“The Hebrew psalms are filled with images of God as an encircling shield, a shelter, a stronghold when times are difficult, a rock, a fortress, someone who revives our soul and girds us with strength, shelters us under an awning and hides us deep in a protective tent. God is comfort in illness and a light in the darkness. What a wonderful opportunity we have to take our struggles to the God and receive encouragement, strength, consolation, compassion, understanding and full acceptance.”
“Just as the light has given me morning, so you, God, have given me hope. Praise to you for drawing me forward, encouraging me to bid farewell to the past. Continue to blow on the embers. Light the fire again and again. Flame it bright and full. Gift me with surrender in love so that I can be more fully yours. Ignite my love.”
“One way of being a light or a sign of God’s great compassion is by praying for and with others. Each morning, I name to God the significant people of my life. I also name the groups I will be with for conferences or retreats in the coming weeks. In this way, I am reminded of my oneness with others and of the call to be the messengers of God’s love in all I am and all I do.”
“I’ve experienced some of the strongest light coming from those who have suffered greatly. As the darkness breaks their hearts open, they become ever more vulnerable and compassionate. When this happens, walls of resistance, mental defenses, and tightly held securities fall away. And I observe the light in others.”
“O God, as I look back on my life, I see many little pieces of light. They have given me hope and comfort in my bleak and weary times. I thank you for the radiance of a dark sky full of stars, and for the faithful light of dawn which follows every turn of darkness. I thank you for loved ones and strangers whose inner beacons of light have warmed and welcomed my pain. I thank you for your presence in my depths, protecting, guiding, reassuring, loving – and I marvel at the little pieces of light.”
“Restore my perception of the inherent joy that awaits me in each day if only I turn toward you with a recognition of your vibrant energy moving through me. Awaken me to a keener awareness of your light-filled presence within my being, especially when life fills with shadows of sadness and the cloudiness of concerns. Show me how you are dwelling in those places of my life where I’ve forgotten to welcome you with an open heart of acceptance and hospitality. Help me to return often to my inner sanctuary.”
“Darkness sometimes invites us to reconsider our notion of God. Our understanding and our metaphors for God my be too limiting for our adult lives. Perhaps we are being stretched into considering the dark God of the womb, as well as the God of the light. “Even darkness to you is not dark, and might is as clear as the day (psalm 139:12)”
“A brilliant radiance resides in us – the God illumination of our souls. This radiance carries an immense energy of love and wisdom. Each of us bears this light every day of our lives., even when the darkness looms so large that we feel the light will be extinguished. No wonder the hope filled Jesus referred to himself as ‘the Light’, spoke of us having light within us, and encouraged us to share the light with others. I want the light within me to shine through the darkness.”
“In the dark days of my heart I do not wait to walk until light lingers for I know not when it shall come. I go instead stumbling into darkness, searching for a road, straining to see a way. Darkness – it is the place of growth, and I am ripe for it knowing both light and darkness are needed for true growth.”
“Eternal Lamp of Love, remind me often of how much radiance comes from the glow of one small candle flame. When my spiritual window is heavily clouded, and your abiding love seems far from me, restore my belief in your vibrant presence. When I doubt my ability to be a bearer of your light, shine your truth and wisdom into my faltering spirit. Thank you for the illuminated beings who have touched my life with their goodness. Your light shining through them has inspired me and filled me with spiritual energy. Assure me that I can also be a Light-bearer for others, a clear window of your eternal starlight.”
I would like to close this reflection with a meditation hymn of longing and joy from Common Praise, Anglican Church of Canada #460
Lord, the light of your love is shining,
In the midst of the darkness, shining
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us,
Set us free by the truth you now bring us
Shine on me, shine on me
Shine, Jesus, shine, Fill this land with the Father’s glory,
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word Lord, and let there be light
Lord, I come to your awesome presence
From the shadows into your radiance
By the blood I may enter your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
Shine on me, shine on me
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word Lord, and let there be light
As we gaze on your kingly brightness
So our faces display your likeness
Ever changing from glory to glory
Mirrored here may our lives tell your story
Shine on me, shine on me
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word Lord, and let there be light
As we gaze on your kingly brightness
So our faces display your likeness
Ever changing from glory to glory
Mirrored here may our lives tell your story
Shine on me, shine on me
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word Lord, and let there be light
Yes! Yes! “Arise shine for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1.