This battle, of course, is nothing new in concept to western civilization. It has been, in fact, one continuous struggle from the time man was created in His image. Beginning with Adam and Eve, humankind has often opted for the creativity and craftiness of darkness, rather than basking in the warmth and brilliance of God’s light. Across the time line of history, epic battles have been waged between the forces of light, which symbolize God’s goodness vs. the shadowy forces of darkness, which is controlled by the fallen archangel. Complete with his impish minions, the devil has most easily influenced our lives with the tempting whispers of existing without any rules of governance, but rather according to our own delights, pleasures, all the while infusing us with fear. The promises the evil one implants in our hearts and minds, however, are nothing more than countless false teachings which separate us from our creator, resulting in our sinful nature, as well as our gullible misgivings. God, in His creating sense, did not opt to control us as robots, but gave to us free will, thereby allowing us to make our own decisions. He also gave us a brain to develop in order to concretely rationalize and allow us to filter out both incorrect decisions and behavior modes thereby bestowing on us the ability to make viable choices with our lives, while also helping us to control our passions. This, of course, is contrary to the forces of darkness. Following the way of the Lord places a constraint on outlandish behavior, and turns our attention away from the selfish, self promoting, and judgmental ways transforming them towards the compassionate, loving, and forgiving way of Jesus Christ our God. Moreover, because we are baptized, we have earned the right to walk in His light with comfort, grace, and without fear.

We have all, as a result of our baptism, been endowed with light of illumination of Christ. We are, in fact, clothed in His light as a result of the triple immersion and emersion. We say that, "We are clothed upon with Christ," and are boldly proclaimed, "newly illuminated." One would certainly think that this God-given illumination would guide us on a level ground all the days of our life. This is not the case, however. Our power of choice allows us the freedom to decide. We are free to torment, be tormented, lie, be lied to, cheat, be cheated, trick or be tricked. We can plot, misinform, frighten, and threaten. Simply stated, we can manipulate one another, and all of this is a result of the darkness which pervades our lives and surrounds us constantly, and which is, often time, unimpeded. It is sad that we are not truly governed by the Christ factor empowering His words which once resonated throughout Christian realm. "I am the Light of the world," Christ proclaimed, and His followers believed. Jesus further stated that anyone who follows Him, "shall not walk in darkness." It is frustrating that, so often, our choices are not weighed with a Christ factor and with an illuminated intelligence, but is based on the easiest and, all too often, darkest response. The result is fear, dismay, and even sin.

We are sinners each and every one of us. Not a day passes without us committing some transgression against one another, or even ourselves. When we commit these foibles, the sins we commit darken the light within us. In other words, we allow our souls and the light within us to be overcome by the shadows of evil.

Additionally, sin breeds other difficulties. Who has not experienced the despair which sin causes, or the hatred which sin causes to fester. In fact, the more we sin the darker the light within us becomes and, therefore, the more accustomed we become to living outside of His guiding light. We then build upon our sinfulness.

Isn’t it interesting that we are called to grow in and become partakers of His divine nature, by, as we hear in the Divine Liturgy, committing "ourselves and one another to Christ our God." Are these mere words to be enforced whenever we feel wronged by another, or do they apply to all of us? Certainly, we like to daydream and wander whenever we are asked to evaluate ourselves and to examine the darkness within us. Did not Judas attempt to give the temple leaders their money back, and in his despair summarily destroy the life which God allowed him? Darkness against our light seems to be an almost impossible force to overcome, doesn’t it? The power of evil seems not only to fester, but overcome any decency left in us. All is not lost, however.

Jesus Christ gave Himself up for us. He allowed the events of Holy Week to take place. Let’s repeat that. He allowed the events of Holy Week to take place, and to play out. The arrest and the trial, taunting, mocking, and beatings were but the way of darkness to frighten us away from Christ and cower us into hiding. His death was a fearsome death, and paid with a costly price. Even the forces of nature and the noon day sun were overcome. "It was about the sixth hour [noon], and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth [3:00 pm] hour. And the sun was darkened... (Luke 23). It was a terrifying event. Let’s, for a moment, try to imagine what took place.

The sun suddenly and without warning is blotted out. This is no mere eclipse, it is total darkness. Terror must have been widespread. Not only would have the apostles and Christ’s disciples become panic stricken, but so too would have anyone who lived at the time. Even a solar eclipse slowly transforms the day to night and back again, but absolute, unannounced darkness for three hours? Terror is an understatement? Death and darkness had seemingly triumphed physically and naturally. What or Who was going to protect the people? The people would have immediately imagined that their lives were forfeit also, and that they would be tossed into darkness of the abyss. The devil had his victory and would celebrate not only his conquering of God, but also God’s image; man. Imagine the victory parade in Hades. Light was overwhelmed by total and absolute darkness, and the prince of darkness now had an army which could even overcome God. But something happened.

The story was not over. History did not come to an abrupt end. We are certainly proof of that. What emerges from the deepest darkness of His death and descent into Hades is a world bathed in light. It is a world triumphant, because darkness is completely overcome. Christ resurrects and not only restores light itself, but conquers the most devastating thought of darkness called death. The shadow of death is overwhelmed by Light, and for the first time, mankind has a future. We know today that no matter how bleak our existence may seem, or how dark our sins may be, no matter how unforgiving we may appear or nature may extend, there is an unquenchable Light which will never be extinguished, and provide us the opportunity to bathe in it. It is the Light of Jesus Christ resurrected. Through His resurrection, we are all guaranteed the greatest of all opportunities we proudly proclaim as eternal life.

Our history is constantly being written and rewritten. Nature will always perform not according to our prognostications, but according to God’s will. And, His Light will forever bring us hope, love, forgiveness and peace. Light will triumph over darkness, and good shall triumph over evil. This is the promise of the resurrection. Kali Anastasi!  ...Fatner Pat