We are Endowed with Light

Give to the lover every place where a candle

is extinguished, for he is endowed .... with a hundred

thousand lights. "

- RUMI

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O darkness

you take yourself so seriously

you think you are so profound

so weighty

with all that is hidden

deep

all that hate and fear

anger and bitterness

lurking

but you are nothing

nothing

for light comes

and chases away the dark places

the shadow lands

and then those who could not see, can see

and those who were afraid are comforted

then people know the way

our job

all of us

is to bear the light

to carry it into dark places

into places where poverty, and prejudice, and oppression exist

and to dispel the darkness

with generosity, and love, and justice

for we are endowed

with the light of God’s presence

and nothing, if we hold fast to the light

can overcome us