Pastor's Note

NOT JUST SHADOWS
March 2nd, 2008

About ten days ago, we in the northern hemisphere witnessed a total eclipse of the moon. When it started, I peaked out the window every so often to see it take place. Eventually, I stood outside and watched the darkness eat away at the bright moon. There was a drama taking place that, I am sure, frightened primitive peoples of the past, who had no understanding of the causes of such an eclipse.
What struck me most, however, was that once the eclipse was complete, I could still see the moon. It was merely a shadow of itself, but it was nonetheless visible. I guess I would best describe it as if someone had shaded in the entire circle with a dark gray (not black) crayon. It was a nice reminder that even in an eclipse; the reality of the moon still existed.
It would be great if we could always see reality with great clarity. We would be happy always to understand people or to have certainty about what we should do each day. But for most of us, quite a bit of shadow enters our day-to-day lives.
When it comes to our spiritual journey, we often can quote the song, “We walk by faith and not by sight.” We believe even when our sight is impaired. The reality of God’s presence is there even when it all seems shaded in a dark gray.
At the Easter vigil, the deacon singing the Exsultet, calls on God to ‘scatter the shadows’ and bring about the clarity of light. At times we will experience the power of light in our lives. Until then we continue to believe even when the brightness is eclipsed in shadow.