48

Some days things look pretty grim. Make a list of all the things you think about and put the ones that cheer you up in one column and the things that are concerning and worrying in another column. Which is the longer column? I’m pretty sure that the down column is shorter than the up column for most of us. It is for me. 

For a long time the Western world has looked up. (I cannot speak for the Eastern world or the African world.) Since the earliest days of Athens, the West has been optimistic, but that seems to be changing. Christianity, however hard it might be to define, generally meant that we were getting better. Certainly the Crucifixion and the Resurrection meant, and still do, a brighter world, but in various other ways, the light is dimming. 

Our material home, the planet,  is getting darker as environmental pollution seeps into every corner. Political differences have taken a violent and threatening turn. Duels once guided and practiced by strict customs and rules have become crowd melees.   Public and private entertainment has merged, and scenes and activities not too long ago limited to private adult areas are now broadcast for viewing by children of any age. The private theater has become public.

Who knows what lies ahead? Who dares call out “Take heart. Tomorrow will be a better day?”  Who will stand on the barriers of the world and wave the flags of Faith, Hope and Freedom?  

Actually there are  some. There might be many. When all else goes dark. When despair is the norm. There will be some who will stand on the Mountain (Mt. 4,5,6) and love their enemies, who will take the narrow way, who will be able to get through the day without judging others, who will be able to give to good causes without putting their name up on the TV screen, who will not need to retaliate, eye for an eye, blow for a blow, who will not betray their spouse, who will build their homes on secure foundations, not sinking sand, who will live as Jesus taught.