Sitting in darkness may not be the phrase or image which is evoked in you as you listen to this text. Yet it was the theme which “shimmered” for me and is a topic that frequently comes into spiritual direction.
In addition to grief, mystery and not knowing can feel like darkness – sometimes like a perpetual black hole. It can be very hard to linger in that place, get to know it, and discover God with us in it. Sometimes, the safest way to be with these hard places is simply to pause and acknowledge that is in fact hard. If we go slowly, our bodies can give us clues as to how it is for us now.
As we go gently and patiently, we can begin to describe how our body is holding this place now. We might place a gentle hand there where we are feeling something. In that process of listening and describing, we are seen and companioned by the Holy Spirit. We begin to have a sense that we are not alone, even in this particular murky, shadowy blackness. That sense of being accompanied by God is the emerging, the dawning of light around us and in us.
Whatever the Spirit evokes in you in this prayerful reading, may there be grace to linger at the murky edge of not understanding. Jesus is calling us to come.
Matthew 4:12-23 (NLT)
12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:
15 “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live, 16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.”
17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” 18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.23 Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.
For Reflection:
Linger with any word, image, or sense that seemed to “shimmer” for you. Sit with this and/or journal or draw whatever more may emerge for you.
Consider any places of “great light” or “shadow” you’ve noticed lately. Dialogue with Jesus about this. Perhaps write a prayer regarding what you desire about this/these places.
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