The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. -- Matthew 4:16
Dear Lord,
On this Sunday before Christmas in the year 2014 I find my mind and heart consumed with rage and despair at the evil across the face of the Earth and in my nation. Gazing upon and knowing of the world of men and the vileness of many men's deeds has plunged my soul into darkness. I grow short with those I love. I am spiteful towards those who have offended me. My soul feels blighted and shrunken. It can no longer find true north and I have wandered from the way.
In this darkness, on this longest and darkest night of the year, this dark night of the soul, I know I am not prepared or worthy to welcome the advent of your Son and the return of light and the miracle of Your creation. Dear Lord, in these final days of advent, take this darkness from my heart. Lead me, Lord, out of shadow. Show me, again, my Lord, Your great light. O come, O come, Emmanuel.
Amen.
Posted by gerardvanderleun at December 21, 2014 4:25 PM
Amen
Posted by: Bill Henry at December 21, 2014 5:07 PMThat one cost me a tear.
Peace be with you.
JWM
Posted by: jwm at December 21, 2014 5:12 PMAmen.
If it's any comfort, we are never truly prepared, and certainly not worthy. He came all the same, and He loves us to death and beyond, far beyond.
On a completely unrelated note, this weekend I baked a batch of your mother's cookies, and gave half of them to some friends who needed fortification for a 20 hour drive to points north. They are very grateful. Considering her long years, I figure maybe there's a secret blessing in each batch. If nothing else, they are still putting smiles on faces, all over the country.
Even though you couldn't know it, even though you feel as though you are in the dark, you have lit many small sparks over the years that continue to gleam in the darkness. Thanks for that, and may this Christmas be filled with unexpected blessings, secret and not-so-secret, for you and yours.
Peace be with you, Gerard.
Posted by: Julie at December 21, 2014 5:17 PM"As he grasped the utterness of his plight, he turned inward, retreated into himself as if he were fleeing.
There he looked the end of all his hopes and all his ****service in the face, and found that its scarred, terrible visage no longer appalled him.
He was a fighter, a man born to fight for the Land. As long as something for which he could fight remained, he was impervious to terror. And something did remain;
while he lived, at least one flame of love for the Land still burned. He could fight for that."
-------------------------------
Scratch an idealist, find an unoriginal ideal.
---
The 'fountainhead' for one idealist may not be the same wellspring for others.
The Promethean Quest to find that spark that lights up your world is the quest of the individual. You alone need find that connection and when you do, certain ideals will ring with you and others will feel like 'an unoriginal ideal' or an empty platitude.
Each persons connection with the one is unique and you KNOW when you are on the right track. Trust your gut, close your eyes. determine your 'True North', and keep on your journey through your labyrinth.
Love is the key.
madamescherzo . tumblr . com/post/95786700571/semper-spes-est-scratch-an-idealist-find-an#disqus_thread
Posted by: cond0011 at December 21, 2014 5:32 PMGerard,
Thanks for that.
Here's hoping that you see better times and soon.
For what it's worth, I seem to be in the same spot and I found that very refreshing.
Thanks again.
I needed that today...
Bless you Gerard.
-Thank you.
That's a prayer that I feel welling up within me, too, Gerard. Lately, despair is less, and hope has blossomed. I don't know why that is, but it's a daily slog for me.
Thank you for penning such an eloquent prayer. I hope you don't mind if I borrow it now and then.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you.
Many of us are being confronted with this frustration,but I am sure there is going to be Power to spare, when we need it. I believe we will see miracles in the coming times, in greater proportion to the obstacles we face.
Posted by: David at December 21, 2014 7:57 PMThank you for this beautiful prayer.
Posted by: Susan in Seattle at December 21, 2014 9:47 PMI so appreciate your honesty. But you are on the right track. Ask Him, ask with perseverance, and you will receive. The light will return. I am sorry that the Advent was not a good time for you. I had been going through a dark night of the soul and the Advent season, and meditating on it changed things for me. Thank you for this brutally transparent prayer.
Posted by: Steve S. at December 21, 2014 11:37 PM3-fold AMEN
Posted by: Susan Lee at December 22, 2014 4:05 AMThis prayer, penned by Thomas Merton before midnight mass on Christmas in 1941, has been close by, as of late.
Your brightness is my darkness.
I know nothing of You and, by myself,
I cannot even imagine how to go about knowing You.
If I imagine You, I am mistaken.
If I understand You, I am deluded.
If I am conscious and certain I know You, I am crazy.
The darkness is enough.
+++
Posted by: Mizz E at December 22, 2014 7:43 AMGerard, I am a lurker, first time poster.
Like you, sometimes my sense of loss and frustration makes ease of mind, and even sleep, elusive.
Your words, along with the fact that birds still fly, tides obey the moon, and flowers continue to bloom are what bring me hope.
In a roundabout way, knowing that others share in the same sorrows, gives comfort.
Peace be with you. Thank you for bringing out our thoughts in your daily blog. You are a special person.
Posted by: Kristin DeBacco at December 22, 2014 12:09 PMI so appreciate your honesty. But you are on the right track. Ask Him, ask with perseverance, and you will receive. The light will return. I am sorry that the Advent was not a good time for you. I had been going through a dark night of the soul and the Advent season, and meditating on it changed things for me. Thank you for this beautifully honest and transparent prayer.
Posted by: Steve S. at December 22, 2014 3:36 PMWell who's really ever prepared,or worthy for that matter?
He Loves us no matter what.
Did you know there was a space of 400 years between the old & New Testament that NOBODY heard from Him? I think he prepares us for the next chapter of our lives when it seems to us there is no hope and the veil is heaviest.
Peace to you ALL everyday of the year!
CIII
Gerand,
I too am a lurker here. I read these pages 3 or 4 times weekly. It is amazing how close your prayer is to my thoughts an prayers. Thanks you for this. Yes, Oh come Emmanual
Posted by: vichris at December 22, 2014 10:10 PMLet the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14
You can have this as a prayer, and I say to you that your words are acceptable to God. The Holy Ghost comes upon me sometimes when I read essays or words written by such as you, Gerard. I am given discernment and I feel that our Lord is pleased with the prayer and praise such as you offer.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. Matthew 5:16
Amen. Thank you.
Posted by: clayusmcret at December 23, 2014 3:19 AMFor the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us. Isaiah 33:22
Not this government.
G, Amen Brother, I dwell in that place lately as well.
Posted by: Dave J at December 23, 2014 6:12 AMHere we've reached the heart of the matter, and the reason an enlightened liberal will never find what they seek. They hope and expect that mankind can be improved enough to make it all work. Goodly folk know that mankind is weak and corruptible, and look to God instead.
He will find you, Gerard. And in the meantime, be comforted by the real and virtual company of His servants.
Posted by: raincityjazz at December 23, 2014 9:44 AMGreat sermon by David Jeremiah this past Sunday. The difference between making peace with God, and having the peace that is the fruit of the spirit.
"As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, imagine what the world was like before the birth of the Christ Child -- a world of darkness, despair, and discord. Dr. David Jeremiah looks at how Jesus turned that world upside-down, and continues to offer light, joy, and peace to today’s generation."
http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/radio_player.aspx?id=1558
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