Hope and Light

I received news this morning of the death of a security guard from one of my former parishes.

I now feel inundated under a rubble of darkness and despair.  The news of death adds to the litany of global and local troubles.

Crime

Corruption

COVID

Sickness

Brutal Murder

Violence

Social unrest

War

Preparation for war

Rape

Mental Illnesses

Struggle for justice

Racism

Poverty

Prejudice

Natural disasters – volcanic eruptions (Tonga) and earthquakes (Haiti)

And the list is unending. . . “darkness was over the surface of the deep” (Genesis 1:2).

Carefully reading that Genesis chapter, it dawned on me that verse 2 ends with “and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” But I am not feeling the Spirit. The Spirit seems absent today, now.  The deep and dark waters are dominant. I feel like I am drowning.  

Then, I remember the testimony of a friend who travelled by car in search of the Supreme Court building, downtown Kingston, Jamaica, got lost, circled the area several times, and eventually was stopped by a male stranger. Fearful, but desperate, she stopped. He observed her circling several times. For him, she was obviously a stranger in the area. He enquired about her destination. She informed him. He directed her. She sighed in thanksgiving and found her way.

“And God said, “Let there be light. . .” (Genesis 1: 3).

I search for the Light amid the social media news of darkness. I ask for the Light to renew my darkness, darkness resulting from despairing news dominating the virtual highway. I pray to see the Light.