This is an old reflection I wrote a couple years ago. In the interest of collecting all my favorite reflections in one place, I'm posting it here:
Have you ever seen the sun set on the coast right as the tide begins to
break? Waves crash against a weary shore, eating away at thousands of
years of sand and rock. The relentless assault on the integrity of the
beach is overwhelming. Enormous boulders begin to quake and move from
their decades-old resting places, and entire sections of sand begin to
disappear. The great roar of the ocean heaving its immensity against
the land is deafening. But just as one begins to lose hope for the
earth; just as one thinks that the sand and rocks and plants will
finally succumb to the pressures of the sea, the light begins to dim.
The sun creeps behind the trees, fortifying the earth, giving away all of itself
as it falls behind the horizon. The sky fumes in protest, shooting fire
across the clouds in anguish at its loss.
But as the light fades, the
waves lessen their assault. Strengthened by the force of the sun, the
earth roars back, a cacophony of night creatures called up from
reserve. The waves begin to shrink in fear. The sacrifice of the sun
has brought to the earth an internal warmth, allowing it to quiet the
sea. The tide rolls out, revealing weather beaten shores, now free from
drowning but still bathed in moonlight. The moon, enlightened by the
spirit of the sun, now gives the world a soft glow of peace.
Peace.
Peace settles in. The waves now gently roll--a soft and even sound.
The smell of salt is no longer caustic. Rather, the wet and heavy sand
now breathes with the slight breath of relief.
Look at the example of the sun. The earth rocks in its orbit,
straining to escape the warmth of its rays. But the sun forgives, and
each year it melts the frozen hatred of a wintery land. The sun burns
with a fiery intensity, but never complains of the monotony of the
constant need to renew the life of the earth.
And do not forget the
sacrifice of the sunset, when the sun descends from its rightful place
in the sky, if only to save the world from laying too long in its life-giving rays.
Take heed of the sun's example. As the terrors of the demons press
down on you, wearing away at your core and threatening your very
integrity, allow the sun to set behind you and sustain you in its
fullness. Love the moon and the stars of heaven, basking in the mere
reflection of the sun's rays. Forgive even in monotony; silence your
complaints in love; accept sacrifice in the depths of your heart.
And no matter how dark the night becomes, always remember the hope of
the sun's rising.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
No comments:
Post a Comment