Our faith offers light from the darkness of life

    At the end of his weeklong Lenten retreat, Pope Benedict XVI thanked the leader of his retreat, Congolese Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kinshasa. In particular, Pope Benedict XVI was struck by one of the cardinal’s stories, which the pope said could be a parable of our lives: “Often we find ourselves in a dark tunnel in the middle of the night, but through faith we see a light at the end and hear beautiful music, perceiving the beauty of God.”
    The pope’s message is poignant in two ways: first, it is a good way to think of our lives, particularly during the season of Lent; and secondly, I can see the parable of darkness and light in my own life.
    Lent is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It is also a time of self-discipline. During Lent, we are called to think of fasting as a form of penance, as a means of turning away from sin and toward God.
    Our Lenten discipline is to reflect on aspects of ourselves that are not Christ-like and, as the USCCB website says in its section on Lenten resources, let them die: “The suffering and death of Christ are foremost on our minds during Lent, and we join in these mysteries by suffering, dying with Christ and being resurrected in a purified form.”
    If we think about the pope’s message and view Lent as a time of darkness, in which we focus on our weaknesses and Christ’s suffering, I think it becomes a bit easier to view Lent as a journey that leads us to the start of the Easter Triduum, with Holy Thursday and Good Friday.             We journey to Christ’s death on the cross at Calvary, but because of our faith, we know that he will rise again, shattering the darkness with his brilliant light through his resurrection at Easter. In this way, we can, perhaps more fully, realize the pillars of Lent – prayer, fasting and almsgiving – as a way of bringing us closer to living like Christ, who, in the midst of his agony, gave of himself unconditionally for our hope of salvation.
    In my own life, particularly right now, I find it to be no coincidence that I came across this article and quote by the pope. I have often written about young adults leading a chaotic life, hoping for change in a multitude of ways – economically, politically, etc.
    My life is no different. In the past few months, I have had a number of people tell me that with God, all things are possible. I have begun clinging to those words. I firmly believe that if things are meant to be, then it will happen. As this school year draws to a close, I was again entrapped in the darkness that Pope Benedict XVI calls to mind.
    Anyone applying for admission to graduate school or for a job in this economy has been given a rejection letter or e-mail and, while we are told that it is not a reflection of our capabilities, receiving rejection after rejection certainly can make it seem as though we are doing something wrong.
    This time as I applied to doctoral programs, I was not only thinking of myself but of my future, and I prayed that wherever God wanted me to be, whatever his plan for me, he needed to let me know in a very obvious way.
    I know that with God all things are possible because things have worked out for me so that there is really no decision – I know exactly where I’m supposed to be.
    I had one condition for my acceptances: that they be fully funded, something most difficult to come by in the academic world. I know this is just the first piece of the puzzle, and I have faith that the rest of the pieces will fall into place.
    Finishing a master’s degree, applying for a doctorate and planning a wedding have definitely affirmed my faith in the fact that with God all things are possible.
    As I have emerged from the darkness, doubting myself and seeing only my weaknesses, I have learned patience and trust in God’s will, knowing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
    As my preparing priest once told me, “Be at peace, for all shall work together for those who love the Lord and who have been called according to his will and purpose.”
    Heather Bozant can be reached at [email protected].