The Beginning of Life

+Mikael Agricola+

When morning sun brings the dawn,

Love light my way


Lead me on as world turns ’round

 and night enfolds the day


Through spinning seasons, reeling change,

 Lord light my way


Each one in rhythm with the song of life you did create

Surprised us with grace


Beside us you stay


Recognized us for who we are and whose we are by name

Lord Light My Way by Peter Mayer and Patricia O’Reilly

Sixty-nine years ago yesterday, Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer was led from his cell at a prison camp in Flossenburg, Germany. As he was led away to be hung it is recorded that he said, “this is the end-for me the beginning of life.”

It is hard from where we sit today almost seventy years later to image or recall the horror and darkness of that time. In many, many ways it is quite similar to the horror and darkness the earliest disciples of Jesus experienced at the hands of the Romans. Throughout history these dark periods have been encountered again and again by followers of the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.

St. Paul wrote, “For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light —.” (Ephesians 5:8)

I think of the way that Evening Prayer begins. A cantor carrying a candle enters the darkened sanctuary. The words are sung, “Jesus Christ is the Light of the World.”

The response is from memory, it’s too dark to read the hymnbook or the printed page of the bulletin, “The Light no darkness can overcome.” The cantor makes his/her way down the center aisle.

“Stay with us for it is evening” “And the day is almost over.” 

As the cantor approaches the front of the sanctuary one more prayer is prayed.

“Let your light scatter the darkness.” “And illumine the church”

The candle is placed in the candle-holder and then the cantor sings what is called the “Lucinarium” which means LIGHT! “Joyous Light of Glory.”

Some of you probably can remote when electricity came to the community in which you and your family were living. It was remarkable. I’ve been places in the world where electricity and consequently electrical lights have recently come and it is as you know and might suspect, quite the “game changer.”

Moving from darkness to light is a remarkable journey.

Peter sings,

“Love light my way
Lead me on as world turns ’round and night enfolds the day”

Blessings to you this day, may Love and Light your way today!

Peace,

rtg

ps:  Dear Readers, some folks have asked about a gluten free communion bread recipe. my suggestion and practice has been to substitute gluten free flour in the recipe and add a little bit, like a 1/4 teaspoon of xanthum gum to the mix and the bread turns out quite lovely.

pss:  Here's the Irish Soda Bread Recipe