When the darkness speaks

For my friends dealing with the shadows of this world...

It's when the light is apparently hidden that the darkness speaks the loudest.

Sometimes the answer is simply to uncover the light and let it shine.

Sometimes we have to simply tell ourselves over and over again:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  

I know far too many people right now who seem to be facing so much darkness...and at times the darkness, it appears, has won.  Wave after wave of darkness come crashing down and they crave some light--just a little--to bring some sort of hope.

But our hope is already present and so is the light.  We sometimes just need to remind the darkness that it cannot ultimately succeed or triumph.  The battle has already been won and darkness is on the losing side.  Its days are numbered.

So speak the light out of the shadows and proclaim the light.  It has not...It WILL not be overcome.

Be a light bearer into the world--it's what we do...well, it's what we are called to do.

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.  And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances...