Bright Lights Amidst Dark Days

The title of this reflection may lead you to believe I am musing about the sunlight that has peeked through the cold, cold winter days of freezing rain, sleet, snow, and heavy clouds.  Though this pattern has described the last several weeks of the weather we’ve experienced lately, I am really contemplating a conversation I encountered with several of my Dominican sisters during breakfast recently.

A couple of sisters shared stories about difficult times (dark, dark days, weeks, months, and even years) from their early lives in the congregation.  Though I didn’t share my own story at that particular time, I understood the pain and anguish those sisters must have undergone.

As we continued pondering those experiences, one sister noted that the suffering did, in fact, make us stronger, gave us wisdom, and in the end enabled us to be who are today – powerful, durable, intelligent, prudent, hopeful women of faith able to share the “Good News” of Jesus with those who will encounter us.  We can be the compassionate, bright light for someone else who may be in the midst of dark days.

Recall a time when you encountered dark days.

What did you learn from the experience?  How did you grow from it?

To whom can you be a bright light?

Anne Sur, OP

East Dubuque, IL