Light and Darkness and Hope

Only through the light of Christ can the darkness of war and selfishness be overcome, explains Holy Father

The Gospel readings from Sunday were among my favorite. In particular, the last lines of this passage from John 3:

but people preferred darkness to light,
because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light
and does not come toward the light,
so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light,
so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

Pope Benedict spoke to over a million people on the last leg of his Africa visit yesterday and CNS had this to report from his homily:

In his message, the Holy Father spoke of prayer for reconciliation and peace, for only the light of God can overcome the great "darkness" cast by war and greed.

Beginning his speech, the Holy Father noted that the vivid description of “the destruction and ruin caused by war” in today’s readings, “echoes the personal experience of so many people in this country amid the terrible ravages of the civil war.” He added: “How true it is that war can 'destroy everything of value:' families, whole communities, the fruit of men’s labor, the hopes which guide and sustain their lives and work!”

“This experience,” the Pontiff expounded, “is all too familiar to Africa as a whole: the destructive power of civil strife, the descent into a maelstrom of hatred and revenge, the squandering of the efforts of generations of good people.” He continued, “When God’s word, a word meant to build up individuals, communities and the whole human family, is neglected, and when God’s law is 'ridiculed, despised, laughed at,' the result can only be destruction and injustice: the abasement of our common humanity and the betrayal of our vocation to be sons and daughters of a merciful Father, brothers and sisters of his beloved Son."

“Tragically,” he continued, “the clouds of evil have also overshadowed Africa, including this beloved nation of Angola.”

The Catholic Church is growing by large numbers in Africa and it brings an important message of hope. That so many could find Hope in the Word of God amid so much horror and hunger is important for us all to pay attention to.

Read a CSM article about the rise of the Church in Africa here

Read the CNS article here