On Life 32 – The Lamp – June, 28, 2014

   Along the path of life, darkness may cast its shadows over people’s life, dispersing them here and there. Every man is in need of a glow of brightness enabling him to move from darkness to light. As for those who offer this brightness – even if it is faint – they will lead others out of the prevailing darkness. This light offered may be: a kind word, a simple smile which alleviates the path’s burdens, helping someone or a sincere advice which is awaited for long. This light which seems faint and helpless is a great act which gets man from weakness to strength and from night to day.

   This recalls to my mind the story of a young fisherman, who took his daughter in a fishing trip at night. Amidst the darkness, winds blew strongly, and waves got higher, hindering the fisherman from identifying the path he would sail in! His daughter pleaded for God to save them, and while the father was desperately trying to determine their path, the little girl observed a faint light on a long distance, she cried to her father, pointing out towards this light! The fisherman drove his boat towards that faint light until he docked safely.

   Amidst these events, the son of the fisherman was standing at the shore with his eyes full of tears, out of his fear that his father and sister would be harmed, for the night was extremely dark, the wind sounds are horrific, and the fierce waves almost drained his little heart. The boy hurried to his mother asking about what he could do to save his father and sister. After calming him down, his mother took him to an upper room in the house, where she lit a lamp and put it at the room’s window, which was looking at the sea.

   The boy asked his mother about the benefit of this lamp, she answered that she put it as a guide for his father to determine the direction to the shore. Here, the boy kept silent in despair, for the lamp was of very faint light, it would be helpless, yet the mother assured him that darkness of the whole world can never hide light even if it is faint, and that this weak brightness can help. Sometimes, life is likened to such sea, which fierce waves clash within one’s soul, leaving it in the darkness of distress, pain and despair. However, we shall search for the light in life, although it might be a weak one, it does help in reaching the shore.

   Throughout the path of life, hold a candle in your hand even if it is of a faint light, in order to help others. Do not inquire about what can be done amidst all the problems you may face, but remember that a simple act filled with love can encourage someone who lost his way amid the darkness of the world problems. Offer good, and light the path as much as you can in order to help the lost ones. And “on life” we are still sailing…

The General Bishop

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center