Mercy and the Dark Night of the Soul

So often today, you hear of a young person who has attempted to end their life, and tragically, in some cases, succeeding. They have descended down into an unimaginable darkness of soul, that has swallowed up all hope. Even though there may be help around them, they cannot see it. Like one cast into deep waters, they sink down into the murky blackness of despair. One of the essential characteristics of life is that all life has a purpose. From the smallest insect to the human person that can gather it up into their hand to study it. Life unfolds as it is intended. Every time a scientist discovers a new life form, the question is asked, what does it do? Ultimately, if that purpose is denied it, it dies. For human kind, life is supremely complex. There are many lairs, many purposes that motivate us to wake up each day and go out in pursuit of these goals. Beginning with the simplest, we navigate through each, all the while, measuring our achievements against the goal we otherwise understand as success. Who am I, why am I here, how am I doing, is the measure operating behind the decision-making we employ throughout our lives. I have been watching a pair of Mourning Doves who have a nest just outside my window. I have observed them from nest, to eggs, to squabs, to first flight; and that accomplished, starting all over again, four more times until winter returns. How perfectly they fulfill each task, each stage. Who has taught them? Do they even know why they devote their entire existence to fulfilling this purpose for their lives? I'm sure doves do not ask such questions. After all, they are not philosophers, but we are. The need to know and understand is built into us, just as instinct is built into doves. Being right with nature answers some of life's questions. We know so by the positive experience good health gives us. However, being social beings brings about a whole other inquiry into life's purpose, with ever more complex measures of success or failure. Health, wealth and prosperity are the general headings under which the measures of success are compiled. Failure to measure up sets up the descent into despair. But who compiles the list against which we are to be measured? Much is being said of bullying today, society's measuring and harsh judgments pronounced - words of darkness compounding more darkness until a wounded heart descends into despair. A person, so locked into such darkness needs to encounter someone who judges them in an entirely other way; someone who is able to mirror back to them an image of their true value and worth; someone who's judgement, in their favour, is irrefutable and all convincing. That One of course is Jesus.  So Jesus said . . . “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free . . . so if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:31 As we have explored in earlier posts, evangelization is our calling today. The social engineering that society is employing today will only enshroud our world, especially our youth, in ever deeper darkness and confusion.  The VOICES of those who have become his disciples, and who have learned of his truth must speak out, loudly and clearly.  Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS . . . But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of  (this age) sin. Heb. 3:7,&:13. Our message is MERCY Already, MERCY is seeking you out, even before you know it -  [... LINK ...]