Children of the Light

 

Jesus said, "Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light."

After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them. John 12:27-36 

 In this little town at the very southern end of New Jersey, there is a lighthouse that makes itself known at night, it's regular rotation reminding us that there is always someone guarding and watching even in the darkest nights and the worst storms. I have lived with this light all my life, it is as familiar as the sand between my toes and the ever present seagulls. It is home. As we bid my mother farewell and pray for the living, I can't help but knowing this is an end to an era in my life and this home will be no more. But the light will always shine and we can still walk without fear.

Jesus is coming to the end of his days and know that the grief and sorrow his disciples will know will shut out the light of love. He reminds them to not fear the darkness but trust that the light of God's love is ever present, despite circumstances and great loss. As we walk this journey of Holy Week, it is very real for us, as we let go of our understandings of who we are, trusting that God is planning to make all things and all people new. We are resurrection people. children of the light, and there is more to this loss and passion than we can imagine at this time.

Today I ask God to help me stay walking in the light. May the storms and darkness not overwhelm us. May we look up, when the times get tough, and know that there is light surrounding us, protecting us guiding us all to new homes and new life.