The Colors of Christianity

There is a simply marvelous reflection at A Dei in the Life on the vibrancy of Christ's message.  If you have never been over to A Dei in the Life, do so.  There is much over there in the way of spiritual edification.

I just finished reading Redemptionis Donum, Pope John Paul the Great's Apostolic Exhortation to Men and Women Religious.  Shortly before his conclusion, in paragraph 16, he talks about the witness of so many who have left "behind them the bright radiance of God's light against the dark and gray background of human existence."

The phrasing is beautiful in that quote.  It gave me pause.  So often, I am irritated when people feel the need to say that things are not black and white.  "There are many gray areas in life," they'll say.  Usually, I find this accompanies intense conversations surrounding deeply held convictions.  When it refers to a person's view of truth as being something subjective rather than objective (true for all people regardless of opinion), it drives me crazy.  In light of John Paul II's quote above, however, I am now inclined to agree on at least one of these points.  Perhaps things are not black and white.

Darkness does indeed give the impression that things are gray.  Many in our world live in darkness.  They lack faith, hope, and love.  Their minds are clouded by sin and our wounded nature.  We read in the Scriptures, however, that those in darkness have seen a great light.  Christ is the Light of the World!  When believers bring this Truth to bear upon the people, ideas, and events of this world, two things are immediately clear.  First, we see that things are not really gray at all.  Nor are they black and white.  The light of Jesus Christ reveals that Truth is both vibrant and colorful!  If there is a relationship between truth, goodness, and beauty, how could it be otherwise?