Longing for Light
As a country, a continent, a globe, we are in the midst of profound crises and the myriad challenges they bring. In a very real sense, we are a people walking in darkness. In all of my sixty six years, I cannot recall a time when I have so longed for light.
Beautifully anticipated by the prophet Isaiah, the great light I am longing for is none other than the One who said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
Light, however, can be overwhelming, disorienting. I recall visiting an exhibition by James Turrell, an American artist associated with the Light and Space movement. One of his exhibits was a room where, on entering, one was completely bathed in light. Designed so that nothing cast a shadow, it was hard to find one’s bearings or to tell where the walls, floor and ceiling began and ended. Indeed, I ended up sitting on the floor as a way of settling into this unsettling experience. Eventually, I noticed that this mysterious light went through subtle changes in colour and depth, an invitation to let it guide me as I got up off the floor and began to move around. Exiting this extraordinary room, the familiar world of shadows and light was no longer the only possible reality and I felt like this was perhaps the closest I would ever get in my body to the experience of having the light of life.
As I prayed with my longing for light and the memory of its capacity to overwhelm and disorient, I was reminded of the Advent O Antiphons. These seven great declarations of the nature and mission of Jesus took me right back to the prophet Isaiah and I began to wonder if they were the very colour and depth I needed this Advent to guide me into a deeper knowing of the very shadowless light I am longing for. I have only just begun my conversation with the first Antiphon, O Wisdom. I can’t think of a better place to start.
And yes, I shall declare all seven O Antiphons most joyfully, together with many right around the world, on each of the seven days prior to Christmas eve!
I don’t know where being with Christ as the light of the world this Advent will take me. I don’t expect it to be a comfortable journey. My prayer is that, come Christmas Day, I will respond to the One who came to teach the way of truth and whom we await, with the same faith, hope and love the shepherds brought to the stable.
I wish you a blessed Christmas tide, filled with the light of the world guiding you during these dark, troubling times.
Questions to help you reflect:
Light and darkness are powerful themes which run right through the Scriptures. How might they shape your Spiritual Direction conversations?
Jesus calls Himself and His followers, the light of the world. How might you use the O Antiphons with your directees as an invitation to dwell ever more deeply and image ever more brightly the light of life?
Maria Manuela Silva
Maria Manuela Silva has been involved in church ministry in some of the most economically and ethnically diverse London boroughs. In addition, she is the Year 3 Lead Tutor for the Encounter course and co-leads the Centre’s Supervision Skills course. Her interest in the Enneagram began about a decade ago and she has delivered workshops in local church settings as well as for the Centre. Maria is passionate about human flourishing, spiritual formation, the Portuguese sun and her three grandchildren!