Easter Meditation Three - Behind the Wall

On Wednesday of Week Two in Easter time we read this Gospel text:   God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God. Jn 3:16-21 In the image above, there are two figures and the wall. One figure is behind the wall, confined by the darkness of sin and guilt. The other is imbued in glorious light as it passes through the wall into freedom. The wall is the wall of guilt and condemnation, behind which there is no escaping. Behind this wall there is only death. John tells us that there is one who is greater than the wall, one to whom the wall is no barrier. Before him the wall dissolves in the glorious light of Mercy, leading to freedom all who will follow the Light to live by His Truth. Darkness and light and truth are now the preoccupation of Easter People. Where is my heart at this time? Am I dwelling in the darkness of my truth-less choices, behind a wall of self condemnation? Am I still refusing to listen to that Voice telling me, it is Easter now, the wall has been breached, the choice is mine now, stay in darkness or follow the Light? Where will my heart be - in darkness or in light? O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You. Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.  Psalm 139

.