Don’t Give Victory to Darkness
Political debates. Race riots. Homeless camps. Rampant gangs. Drug overdoses. Out of control abortion clinics. These are just a few examples of the darkness of our world. Around every corner lurks darkness waiting to pounce and swallow up your joy and peace.
At that time, the Pharisees took counsel against Jesus and said to one another, “You see that you can do nothing; look, the world has gone after him.” Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew went with Philip and they told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If any one serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me, the Father will honor him. “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ No, for this purpose 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 by heard it and said that it had thundered. 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 shall the ruler of this world be cast out; and I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” He said this to show by what death he was to die. The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains for ever. 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, lest the darkness overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
John 12.19-36
This reading is chosen by the Church this week to focus our attention on the Passion of Christ. We are preparing for the Universal Exaltation of the Life-giving and Precious Cross of Christ on September 14. Today’s reading to meant to remind us to run from darkness without delay.
The world only offers darkness. I know many people who have stopped watching or reading the news to avoid depression and anxiety. There is little left in the news to give us hope and peace. The darkness of this world knows that time is short. The darkness of this world is working overtime.
As Christians we cannot give in to darkness. I admit it can be difficult to stay ‘in touch’ with what’s going on in the world without being depressed. Instead of avoiding the news, ‘pray’ the news. Pray that God inspires people to peace and faith rather than depression and evil.
It begins with us. It always begins with us. If we embrace the darkness, it will spread. We must become light in the dark world. God is the Light, and we are His children. We are His Church, His body. We are called to be His Light in the world.
Chances are pretty good that today’s conversations will turn toward last night’s political debate. I watched the debate and here’s what I know to be true. Politicians are not going to defeat the darkness of this world. Politicians are not the light. Christ and the Church is the Light.
Don’t for a minute think that politicians are going to save us from the darkness. Only Christ and His Church can defeat the darkness. Darkness cannot defeat darkness. Only Light can defeat darkness. Allow the Light to shine in your faith and life. Allow the Light to defeat the darkness.
