Father Rafic lights a Hannuka candle

“There is an African adage that says: “Do not continue to curse the darkness but rather generate a small light around you and within you that arouses hope and consolation”.

There was much darkness in our region in recent times but there are also little light everywhere. Yesterday, I received from friends a letter that they had gotten from monks who live in Damascus, Syria, despite the difficulties and the war, and they describe the destruction and the woes. Among other things, they describe the children in the refugee camps, who do not have feelings of violence and vengeance, in the midst of the chaos. These children are striking examples of being part of the lights that God sows in the world in order to open our eyes, we, the adults. Why are they light? Because, in the innocence of their hearts, they have not let the darkness enter their souls. The light within them illuminates their eyes.

Everything begins within, both the light and the darkness. From within the light or the darkness goes out and penetrates families, society and the world.

To illuminate with light means to seek and to find resources: the resources of faith, prayer, repentance, mutual help, in order to strengthen the light and vanquish the darkness within us and from there to radiate a little light in our world.”