Children of Light

‘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 judgement 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

We adults can find many things to be anxious about and situations that disappoint us. Here in the US, during and election season, we can grow dim and sad about the state of affairs. And if we look at our world, the violence and dangers can overwhelm us. Jesus understood that the weight of the world is terribly hard to bear, and we humans often suffer under that weight. Yet he was and is always looking to the future, facing directly into the evils of the day and calling us to dance in the light, in his light when all else fails.

Gracious Creator you flood us with light

at night the moon spreads her sweet glow

and during the daytime the sun lights us

and at all times you bring light to our dreary hearts.

Often we feel broken and hidden from sight

too often we think this is our lot in life

we slowly put one foot in front of the other

but never hear the music nor do we ever dance.

Help us to be your children, the children of light

let the burdens we have strapped on be cut away

so that we might see your radiance and glory

and help others to dance in the light of your love. Amen.