There is a Gold Light

September 11: Another anniversary of horror, of incomprehensible destruction and inconsolable loss felt around the world that day – and this day. Horror and destruction and loss which are still happening, as they did that day, and on this day. Somewhere.

And then there are personal losses and griefs piled on: to remember, to suffer in the present, or, maybe even worse, to anticipate. More pertinent to our focus here, there is the looming further loss of confidence, of faith in, and hope for, our own church. We know the ordination of women and women’s leadership could have made a huge difference; we know that rationally as well as emotionally, but, we can only wonder, will it still? Is it still a cause worth pursuing in an imploding institution?

Of course it is. Of course. Because, as September 11 taught us, we always go on. We honor those who were harmed; we celebrate those who were heroic; we face up to what is needed and what needs to be changed. We make mistakes; we make false starts and poor decisions, and we make brave, beautiful, meaningful lasting choices that replenish, refresh, and renew us all.

And so, I offer today, on this sad, sad day for so many, a poem of hope:

There is a Gold Light in Certain Old Paintings

By David Justice

1.

There is a gold light in certain old paintings

That represents a diffusion of sunlight.

It is like happiness, when we are happy.

It comes from everywhere and from nowhere at once, this light,

And the poor soldiers sprawled at the foot of the cross

Share in its charity equally with the cross.

 

2.

Orpheus hesitated beside the black river.

With so much to look forward to he looked back.

We think he sang then, but the song is lost.

At least he had seen once more the beloved back.

I say the song went this way: O prolong

            Now the sorrow if that is all there is to prolong.

 

3.

The world is very dusty, uncle. Let us work.

One day the sickness shall pass from the earth for good.

The orchard will bloom; someone will play the guitar.

Our work will be seen as strong and clean and good.

And all that we suffered through having existed

Shall be forgotten as though it had never existed.