OPreach
Dominican Preaching through Word and Image
Seeking Darkness to Scatter Light
Today is Palm Sunday. It is a day when we hear familiar readings about the Passion of Jesus – a story of his last days on earth – the days that led up to his crucifixion. We understand that Jesus walked willingly into the darkness.
I recently came across a lovely poem by Dan Turner entitled, What Kind of God. The last line of the poem expresses well Christ’s mission.
My God . . . seeking darkness . . . to scatter Light.
To scatter Light.
May we remember, when we find ourselves in the midst of darkness, that we, too, are called to scatter Light.
OPreach 
Jesus willingly accepted God’s plan – the agony
of crucifixion. Anticipating indescribable suffering,
a pall of darkness covered the mind and spirit of
Jesus. Only in accepting his mission did the
suffering endured bring light and hope to all
mankind.
In accepting God’s plan, we, too, are often cast
into darkness with anticipation of what
acceptance will mean and how it might affect
the selfish needs to which we have become
accustomed. Only in casting aside self-interest and
gratification will our spirit emerge from darkness
into a place where service to others will not
only lead us into light, but will also allow that
light to shine into the lives of those we are called
upon to serve.
I gave a talk this morning at the Zen Center on what does Palm Sunday have to do with Zen. I thought you might enjoy reading it. P
I would very much like to read your talk, and I hope
you will send it to me. J