Go Gaily in the Dark

“The men of the East may spell the stars,
And times and triumphs mark,
But the men signed of the cross of Christ
Go gaily in the dark.”

-The Ballad of the White Horse, by G.K. Chesterton

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Today we celebrate that new awakening, that springtime, that journey beginning once more toward the heavenly Jerusalem.  In the words of Pope Francis:

"Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our lethargy."

For all the comforts and pleasures of this world lull us into a sort of sleep and a false security.  Like one who succumbs to anesthesia, we do not realize that we are falling asleep even as we fight it.  Wisely, the Church declares a time for us to rise out of that slumber, to deprive ourselves even of that which we consider necessary for a time in order to raise our eyes to the heavens.

"Remember that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return."

Those words shatter our self-assured world of grasping control.  For what can dust achieve of itself?  Nothing.  And all shall return to nothing.

Oh what folly is our seriousness!  Our earnest attempts to make eternal bliss here upon earth last but a little while.  Someday we must face the truth that all here is temporary.  Someday we must face the reality of death.

Yet if we face death now, how lightly we could take ourselves!  We would no longer care so desperately for our plans and schemes.  We would no longer cling to all that we hold dear which will pass away with this earthly life.  We would take such bold risks and dare to love courageously.

"Remember that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return."