Scattered

“Jesus Christ, you are the light of the world;

The light no darkness can overcome;

Stay with us now, for it is evening,

And the day is almost over. 

Let your light scatter the darkness,

And shine within your people here.”

(from Holden Evening Prayer, copyright 1990 by GIA Publications)

Thus begins the service of light.  We gather in a darkened sanctuary and proclaim our faith that Jesus IS the light of the world.  As the sun sets and our atmosphere becomes dark we chant, speak and murmur a prayer:  Let your light scatter the darkness and shine within your people here. 

When something is scattered it is broken into smaller pieces.  There are spaces that open within a texture that was previously dense, tightly woven, even gridlocked into solidarity. 

What comes to mind when you think of Christ’s light scattering your darkness? 

image source:  http://science.nasa.gov/media/medialibrary/2001/04/23/ast26apr_1_resources/leonid_anim.gif

Reflection:  

Sometimes the word "scattered" carries a negative connotation.  

When my loved ones are scattered, it seems difficult to be connected with them. Where are they?  What are they doing?  How are they, what are they thinking?  

When my thoughts are scattered, I feel ineffective.  I want to process what is going on, but there is chaos racing through my mind.  I can't focus on any one thought long enough to grasp its meaning. I need to wait for ideas to settle.  I pray that the scattering STOP.  

But when Christ's light scatters my darkness, burdens and fears are diminished.  I can move into the spaces where small specks of hope and glimmers of trust are appearing.  

I pray that the scattering happen!