Even in the Darkness

All four Gospels tell a little different account of the Easter story. But all four have in common that Mary Magdalene was at least among the first at the tomb that morning. We don’t know much about her, but obviously, Jesus had touched her life in a deep way.

The Gospel of John tells us, “…while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb…” (John 20:1)

Most likely, this is a reference to the time of day. But perhaps it could also be a reference to the state of her soul. We find her weeping by the tomb… And we can imagine that in her soul, “…it was still dark.”

Often, we look at the world around us and we wonder at the darkness. Sometimes we look at our own lives, and we wonder at the darkness. Sometimes it is hard to hope.

The Irish poet and philosopher John O’Donohue writes, “We live between the darkness and the light… We are ever on this journey between the two. Every morning, we come out of the dark territories of dreaming into waking awareness of the day. At birth, each of us made a journey from darkness into light… A human life is guided, balanced, and poised by the light of the mind and spirit of the person. We live between the darkness and the light.”

We are ever experiencing some of both. But if the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection shows us anything, it is that even while it is still dark, even when we can’t see it, God is at work.

I wonder how God may be at work in your own life, even now. I wonder how God might be at work in the dark places of our hearts and in the dark places of our world. I wonder what new things God may be preparing to do.

The promise of our Easter faith is that there is more beyond this life and that what is dead and gone, can give rise to something new, something beautiful. While it is still dark, God is already at work!

Let us pray: Holy God, You are the God who brings light out of darkness, hope out of despair, and even life out of death. Meet us at the deepest point of our need today. Fill us with your light. And may that light ever shine through us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.