"It was not about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until 3 in the afternoon, while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two."
(Luke 23:44-45)
Three hours. From noon to 3pm. Darkness. It wasn't a normal, happens-all-the-time-at-this-point-in-the-year event. The author of Luke tells us "the sun's light failed." Was this both literal and symbolic? As Jesus, God's son, was hanging on the cross... as his life was ebbing away... the sun's (son's?) light failed. And darkness swept across the land.
There are "moments of darkness" in the world all the time. Right now we, as a country, are struggling with what it means to live together amidst diversity. The immigration issue is one area. The justice system (especially dealing with minorities and alleged police brutality) is another. Countries (and radical extremist groups) fighting each other... the list could go on and on.
Whenever we fail to treat people as God's beloved children (which we ALL are), darkness prevails.
Anytime we go against Jesus' call to love, forgive, and bless those around us, darkness prevails.
But there's hope. Jesus' crucifixion led to resurrection. And while he was on the cross, Jesus even prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).
Our sins, shortcomings, and failures are forgiven.
Let's try to live in the light, not darkness, folks.
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