Last year, our Worship Committee conducted some "Worship Conversations". It was no surprise to me that 'darkness' and 'candles' were words often used to describe meaningful worship experiences. It was no surprise that Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and the 9/11 Service were lifted up as spiritual, moving and transformative experiences of worship.
There is something about worshiping together in darkness, lighting candles that touches deep places in our hearts and souls. Sunday's text is John's bold and familiar proclamation that "God so loved the world......". It is also a declaration that Christ is the "Light of the World." We usually understand this as a proclamation of Christian revelation for the whole world. Christ is a beacon for peace and hope for all people everywhere. I believe this interpretation is true (as long as we are willing to acknowledge the light of Mohammed and Buddah and Moses.......).
In this Season of Lent, I think it is worth pondering another interpretation: that Christ is the "Light of Our Souls." Our visceral responses to evening candlelight services point us to a truth that Christ shines a light of hope and healing and peace into the darkest places in our souls. He is there in our darkest times, in our most painful losses, in all of the ways we feel isolated and alone. The Light of the World shines for each of us. So in the days ahead, trust your dark places to Christ and look patiently for the flicker of the Light of Christ - it's there.
Blessings to you all and hoping to see you on Sunday - Laura Lee
Texts for This Week:
Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Note: The texts in bold type will be read in the worship service and the one with an asterisk will be used as the focus for the proclamation of the word.
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