Daily meditations during the Lenten Season

by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

 

And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? – Jesus (Luke 18)

Day 3 – Shadow

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. – James 1:17

One of our Church Fathers remarked that when facing the Sun, we see no shadows. It is only when we turn away from the sun that we notice shadows.  The Sun is the source of light and energy for our planet. Even in the shadows there is enough light to energize us and all of life. This is a testament to the power of the Sun. Jesus, the Light of the World, illuminates and we find no shadows nor places to hide when we are turned toward him. And even when we turn and then notice the shadows, He is still energizing us and all of life.

 

Imagine being on the receiving end of such a statement. Imagine, the Kingdom of God has come near you, so close that you can see, feel, touch, hear, and taste it. The Kingdom – the goodness, the connection with all of eternity and the universe, the promise and the fulfillment of every dream you have ever had – has come near you. You have a chance to receive it. You have a chance to lose it.