Reflection - Twilight

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051017.cfm
ACTS 12:24—13:5A
JN 12:44-50

The universe began with a burst of light. The third verse of Genesis telłs us so. In less than a jiffy, (and that is an exact, even if minuscule, measurement of time) the darkness was overcome.

Light versus darkness is a persistent theme in the Scriptures, transcending our division of the Old and the New. It is the ninth of the plagues in Egypt. The darkness immediately preceded the worst plague of all, death itself. 

"So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven
and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days;
they did not see one another,
but all the sons of Israel had light where they dwelt."

(Exodus 10:22-23)

From that dramatic beginning at the point of creation, and the later attestation of divine power at the time of the plagues, there originates an unmistakable pattern in Scripture which conjoins God and light in a singularity that stands unyielding to all that is opposed.

"Rejoice not over me, O my enemy;
when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me." 

(Micah 7:8)

It is a theme that returns often, offering hope and promise particularly during Israel's most troubled times. The prophet Isaiah, recalls it at the time of the Exile.

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shined." 

(Isaiah 9:2)

And the Psalmist reminds everyone of its necessity, for he sees clearly that light and life are resolutely intertwined.

"With God is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light." 

(Psalm 36:9)

Therefore, it should be no surprise that John opens his Gospel proclaiming that:  "In him was life, and the life was the light of men." (John 1:4)

Nor should the words of Jesus in John's text come as either surprise or puzzle.

"I came into the world as light,
so that everyone who believes in me
might not remain in darkness." 

Dawn and Twilight are curious parts of the day. They are almost mirror images of one another. 

Unless there's a moon, earth's every morning is without form. Shades of black obscure the horizon in all directions, only the absence of stars signals the demarcation of earth and sky. No color. No shape. No depth. What emerges from this uniform emptiness is first announced as a whisper and a promise. There arises an intimation of potential form. Vague outlines and indeterminate edges will start to take shape; but only later will color and layers of depth make themselves known. But they too are only gradually revealed. The multiplicity of layers to the earth's horizon are fully exposed only in full daylight. Likewise the subtlety of hues in the rainbow of colors. Then, in the evening, the whole process will play out in reverse. Once more so much will be hidden.

Dawn and twilight are curious parts of the day. They are brief bands of time intervening between night and day, between darkness and light. What is evidenced during these intervals is neither the emptiness of the one nor the fullness of the other. During these passing moments of dawn and twilight color, shape, depth and form can only hint at their true reality. 

Paul calls those converted to the Christian faith "children of light" --- not children of twilight or children of dawn---but children of light. And he tells them that, as such, they should live in the light. I wonder to what extent I am satisfied to live in the twilight, satisfied to embrace only the hints and suggestions and promises of what possibilities are present to those who truly and fully believe?