"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light" (Isaiah 9:2).

Sisters, we are all walking together on this pilgrimage to Heaven, but do you notice how often the darkness and gloom creep into the crevices of our thoughts, feelings, and desires? Confusion, wounds, sickness, and pain hinder us from seeing clearly.

But Isaiah points out that the people are walking in darkness. Instead of feeling stuck or trapped, instead of sitting defeated in despair, they are walking in darkness.

When I was first diagnosed with depression, I memorized Robert Frost’s poem, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. As the narrator walks through the woods on the darkest evening of the year, he notices that "the woods are lovely, dark, and deep" and there are "promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep."

Yes, sisters, the darkness can be lovely, dark, and deep.

Do not be afraid of the darkness because it might be a beautiful part of your path to holiness. Keep walking in hope with the Church. At our Baptism, we received the Light of Christ. Yes, He is the Light Who desires to bring you abundant joy and great rejoicing.

Even on the darkest of nights, let us not forget that we have received His radiant Light.

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Re-read today's Psalm and pray with it quietly today.

Rose Coleman is a contemplative in action who delights in all things beautiful. Her adventurous heart has traveled many places—from circumnavigating the globe on a ship during college to some years in the convent as a religious sister. Exuberant from her childhood, she is an elementary school teacher who learns so much from her students. She is a contributing author to our children's devotional prayer book called Rise Up and the author of our Blessed Conversations: Ways to Pray study found here. You can find out more about her here.