I awoke at 3am, the cares of the world having found purchase in the confines of my mind.  Having lost patience with tossing and turning, I arose, moving into my living room. In my former life, I would have lit a morning fire in the wood stove to warm a night cold home. The best I may muster in my city home is to light the candles that I have placed in my now inoperable fireplace. By the dim candlelight of my living room, I can see, as Paul says, dimly.

I see the dim shapes of lamps and tables and household objects. I see them as they are, albeit darkly, and I see their shadows as well, dancing slightly in time with the candle flickers. It is the shadows which, this morning, claim my attention. The shadows are monochromatic, slightly skewed, but nonetheless fuzzily representative of that which truly is. The shadows leave me yearning for more, which is an unsettling but not altogether unpleasant sensation.  The shadows invite me to a journey of truth, to a better seeing. I am tempted to flick the lightswitch, but I hesitate.

As with physical seeing, our spiritual sight is also only translucent.  Using Scripture, reason, and tradition, as well as the wisdom and counsel of trusted friends, I am compelled to acknowledge that I am only seeing shadows of what truly is, of who God is and who I am. And yet, those shadows bid me to venture further, deeper, trusting in the very Source of the light.

Epiphany is the season of light.  We celebrate the Light that has come into the world in the person of Jesus, and we celebrate the Light of the Holy Spirit that continues to enlighten our hearts and our minds and our souls. As we travel through the dark days of winter while simultaneously celebrating the gift of light, I encourage you to put your trust in the Light and to walk faithfully.  You may see only shadows of truth and beauty and all that is of the grace and mercy of God, but trust nonetheless.  And trusting in that Light, take one more step.

~Father Art