Uneclipsed

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
– John 1:4-5

On April 8, 2024 the community of Wills Point will experience a total solar eclipse. Apparently that’s a pretty big deal. Authorities indicate that the number of visitors to our community could number several thousand, even into the tens of thousands. It could be enough to cause traffic gridlock and strain our infrastructure. This influx of people should come as no surprise. An eclipse is not an every day event, and to be in the path of totality is even more unlikely. Yet on April 8 around 1:41 p.m. that is exactly where we will be.

The timing of the event is nothing more than coincidental, and I am not suggesting otherwise. Even so, I find it interesting that the eclipse happens only eight days after we have celebrated Easter, the day that the darkness of Good Friday was overwhelmed by the light of Christ’s resurrection. Does it seem ironic to you as well? As the Church proclaims the power of light, people will be pursuing an experience with darkness. Please don’t misunderstand. I am not suggesting that those who are planning to observe the eclipse are evil. I will be watching it right along with everyone else, as I am sure it will be impressive. It is just that everyday stuff—and even not-so-everyday stuff—has a tendency to bring scripture to my mind and prompt my theological reflection. The eclipse has done just that. 

As a writer, the apostle John often makes use of imagery to convey his message. Some of the terms he uses repeatedly are meant to convey more than just literal meaning; they are offered theologically. Among such terms employed by John are light and darkness. The theological intent is not difficult to deduce. The world is in darkness; God’s Kingdom is one of light. God has sent light into the world in the person of Jesus, so that by surrendering our hearts to him we might become children of light who are rescued from darkness. The unfortunate reality is that humankind has a propensity to prefer darkness rather than light. Jesus himself said, “This is the judgment: light has come into the world, but people loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). There is no shortage of evidence. The violence we inflict and the contempt we hold toward others seems to only get worse. One might wonder if we are doomed to darkness.

No matter how it may seem, John knew something about the redemptive plan of God. In sending Jesus, God sent light that would not be overcome. To put it in terms of April 8, the light of Christ is uneclipsed. Apparently that is not an actual word, or at least spell check doesn’t believe so. But we are going to use it anyway. UNECLIPSED! The time of totality in Wills Point is predicted to be four minutes and twenty seconds. That is no more than 0.56% of the total daylight time for April 8. The sun may be eclipsed briefly, but after those minutes of darkness we will see the light regaining its authority in the sky. When we do, let us remember the light of Christ that cannot be overcome by darkness.