This little light of mine, I’m goin’ let it shine. This little light of mine. I’m goin’ let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m goin’ let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
At the beginning of the service . . . that candle lighting service is so powerful. I don’t know if
from where you were standing, if you appreciate the beauty in watching the candle light start
with one flame (from the Easter Candle) and grow so that the room is full.
Of course we have a good guess by looking at how fires are easily spread, or how much it hurts
to put one’s finger into a small flame. We have that ritual of lighting candles so that we can start
to appreciate the presence of Christ. And that presence has been with us since the beginning of
time and throughout all of faith history. We are reminded that through any darkness, we have
the light of Christ to guide us.
The light to guide us in our “God hunger.”
The light to shine in the dark places of our hearts . . . through sadness, grief or anger.
The light to illuminate the dark places of our minds . . . the resentments or frustrations.
The light to glow in our spirits . . . enlightening depression, anxiety or fear.
Fr. Karl Rahner is a famous theologian. He once said, “If there will be any Christians in the
future, they will be mystics!” That’s a strong statement. Especially when most of us don’t quite
know what a mystic is. A mystic is one who has a soul-filled spirituality . . . that comes NOT
from a “head-knowledge” of God, or from memorizing formulas or doctrines about faith . . .
but comes from a deep experience of encountering God, or knowing God. Something that takes
place right within the core of our being.
We’ve probably all had mystical experiences . . . where we’ve been “taken out of ourselves”
by a piece of music, a work of art, an incredible landscape, the birth of a child, a powerful
romantic experience or even a profound religious experience. It means to be totally absorbed by
something that we forget ourselves and we seem to be caught up in an ecstasy of emotions.
Unfortunately, we live in a world where people expect darkness to be the pervading experience.
Too many times, people don’t expect good things to happen, or we’ve become too cynical when
there is a bit of good news. It’s seems to be so much easier to squelch light with negative talk.
I find that many people give-in to the darkness of fear, that is, they let fear over-ride any good
thoughts.
For example, many people come to Church NOT expecting to be moved in any way. It’s as if
when the light of Christ is revealed right in front of them, they won’t even lift their un-lit taper to
catch the flame.
But I believe that what we celebrate tonight is for you to trust that mystical experience that is
within you. That you don’t need someone else’s testimony to tell that darkness is not the answer.
That you or I don’t need someone else to convince us that hope is stronger than fear. That even
with the snowy, dark places in our lives . . . there will always come the spring.
So what we need is for you to be a mystic. Develop your “God experiences.” Even those
wonderful experiences that you don’t think are God-related. Trust me, they are.
We have so many people who call themselves Christians or faith-people . . . and they just don’t
“get it.” They think that faith is about memorizing rules or fighting over doctrines. We each are
given the light of faith . . . even if it seems like a small speck of flame.
Be the light! Be that hope for others! Recall your inner experience of deep spirituality and share
it . . . tell others about it. Be the wonder and power of what this night has become. Let Christ be
risen by your attitude, by your ability to face any struggle. Perhaps it’s as simple as smiling or
laughing. Share joy! Give compliments, affirm the goodness in others.
So speak out, be the mystic God wants you to be . . . proclaim a message of hope. Be the light
the world is waiting to see
[Sing] This little light of mine . . . . let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.