And darkness came over the whole land….. whilst the sun’s light failed…

That quotation from St Luke’s Gospel refers, of course, to the crucifixion of Jesus. As darkness removed light from the earth, we are told that the curtain of the temple was torn in two.
Jesus breathed his last and died.

The darkness was more than a physical one.It was a symbol of something much deeper; more profound. There was another darkness which had more to do with the human soul; with a kind of death of humanity or rather that part of us which had turned away from God.

Religion, however it manifests itself, has always understood the dichotomy of darkness and light. This has a personal application as each one of us must face and try to deal with, the inadequacies in our human nature. For many of us this involves a belief in a higher deity and in a way of life which takes its inspiration from God. I am using the word ‘inspire’ in its  most truthful meaning. We aspire to be filled with the Spirit of God. The breath of God fills us and so we can seek the light which transforms our darkness.
This is an aspiration of individuals who seek God but, of course, it is about a transformed world, in which all are enlivened by love.

Two things related to this occurred  this week.

The first bore a literal connection to the event of the Crucifixion. For some there was an experience of total darkness as the moon eclipsed the sun, cutting off light to the earth. Even those who could not experience it physically and who did not live on the Mexican, American and Canadian trajectory, still sense that something awesome was happening.

For all of us who thought about it, the eclipse was a reminder that, despite what some would have us believe, we have no control whatsoever over the planet where we have temporary accommodation and where humanity shares with other parts of creation which occupy the world. I recall something Mr Ramsay said in Virginia Wolf’s novel, To the Lighthouse. He was the head of the family and in one sentence he put us all into context. The very stone one kicks with one’s boot will outlast Shakespeare.
The eclipse, whilst thrilling and phenomenal, is also, like God, beyond our comprehension.

The second kind of darkness ought to be a celebration of joy and light and peace – namely the festival of Eid-al-Fitr. Because of what is happening in Gaza, the Holy Land, and Israel, Eid is a troubled time; a dark time this year, for many.

As Muslims mark the holy month of Ramadan, many of them, especially in Gaza, are observing a more reflective celebration. One Muslim said, “We do not feel any joy. People marked the day with prayers and some sweet treats for children, but the heavy air of loss a devastation made for a subdued holiday.”

Obviously this devastation is felt most keenly in Gaza and the West Bank but all Muslims are affected by the human tragedy being wrought there. Every human being is involved. Darkness is affecting the whole land; the whole earth.
The eclipse took about 7 minutes in some places. The next such total eclipse is due in 2186! It will happen whether humanity is still around!
But it is totally possible to rid our world of human darkness before then. It does rely on us to a great extent but even more, it relies on a ‘Godly’ us’, working and praying together for peace over the whole earth.

Here’s a prayer from the World Council of Churches:

Eternal God, Creator of the universe, there is no God but You.
Great and wonderful are Your works, wondrous are your ways.
Thank You for the many splendoured variety of Your creation.
Thank You for the many ways we affirm Your presence and purpose,
and the freedom to do so.
Forgive our violation of Your creation.
Forgive our violence toward each other.
We stand in awe and gratitude for Your persistent love
for each and all of Your children:
Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu,
as well as those with other faiths.
Grant to all and our leaders attributes of the strong;
mutual respect in words and deed,
restraint in the exercise of power, and
the will for peace with justice, for all.
Eternal God, Creator of the universe, there is no God but You.
Amen.

… and there is yet hope .