Piercing the Darkness

The world seems very dark these days, dark from evil, revenge, hatred, and violence. Martin Luther King lived in a similar world. He admitted, “The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land. Confusion all around.” But he told the people, “Only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars.”

We need to look closely to see the stars around us:  the boldness of people who risk their lives to save those in danger, especially during war; the moral stature of those who speak out against injustice and evil;  the courage of those who overcome prejudice and adversity with non-violence; the bravery of those who protect those shunned by society even when it means rejection by their friends and co-workers.

Millions of stars are barely visible in the night sky. Millions of good people also go unnoticed. We hope they will continue to have the courage to speak the truth whatever the consequences. Jesus tells us to overcome evil with good. If enough good people are bold enough “to act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with their God,” we can survive these dark times.

I am reminded of Bishop Oscar Romero and the four women who were killed in El Salvador during the civil war in the 1980s, of the brave women In Iran who refused to wear the hijab and demanded to be treated as equals, and so many other innocent people who risk their lives to stand for justice. If enough courageous people are willing to keep on doing the right thing, hopefully the stars will break through the darkness.