Reflections

I was delighted last Sunday, when, in honor of “Star Wars Day” and during the announcements at 10:30, I absurdly said to the congregation, “May the 4th be with you.” And y’all enthusiastically responded, “and also with you.” Let’s hear it for the geeks.

 

But May 4th is not only “Star Wars Day.” According to the infallible internet, May 4th is also World Migratory Bird Day, International Firefighters’ Day, and the birthday of Rory McIlroy, the most recent Masters Tournament champion. But for my mother and her fellow Danes, May 4th is the day the Germans surrendered.

 

When the Nazis conquered Denmark on April 9, 1940, they imposed a mandatory blackout from dusk until dawn to deter Allied aircraft. And when their occupiers withdrew, the Danes placed candles in their windows to remember and celebrate. This was the beginning of an annual tradition that continues today. My aunt shared the attached photo of her house on the east coast of Jutland from last Sunday evening.

 

Candles are lights in the darkness. By lighting and sharing such candles, like the Danes, we declare, to ourselves and the world, that hope remains and will never be extinguished. Moreover, we are called by Christ, our ultimate hope, to keep such lights burning, spiritually and literally, when our path or our world can be a dark place. 

 

I think about last Sunday’s reading from Acts, the story of Saul’s conversion. Saul was "breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord,” and was on his way to Damascus where he planned to find, "any who belonged to the Way [and] bring them bound to Jerusalem.” But, "suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:1-4).

 

Even when we find ourselves in the midst of dark works, light breaks through. For, “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it,” (John 1:5).

 

Be a light. For a friend who is struggling, for a neighbor who is ill, for that person who is barely holding it all together, be a light. With Christ, our light will never go out.