Physical light is an energy which radiates into the darkness of the universe. Physical darkness is not a counterforce, but merely the absence of light.

When we use the imperfect metaphors of light and darkness to visualize the great spiritual war in the heavens, it is sometimes forgotten that evil is not a mere absence of the Light.

Neither is it a substance like poisonous gas. It is primarily a perversion of something that was originally created good.

Lucifer began as an angel of light and became, by his own choice—Satan. Adam and Eve were created good and free, and perfect in their ability to love and to see truth. Yet they were deceived into choosing a perverted version of the powers of the mind and the will. They thought they were choosing a greater light than the one God had given them.

And so, down through the long centuries the great Lie continues to work its illusions. But its power over us has been broken on the Cross of Christ.

For this reason we should never be disheartened by the evidence of sin and death at work in us.

We should recognize them for what they are: traces of a fallen time when the image of God within us was horribly defaced.

Since the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus, there is now victory over that damage. Our task is to permit the power of the Cross to restore the image and likeness which once was ours, and was lost for a while.

But we are afraid. Do we dare believe that God’s love is that great? Can we believe in his power while sin and death still appear to rage all about us?

As long as we look for help and consolation in artificial lights, the answer will continue to be no. We will continue to reject the way of the Cross which Jesus shows us is the only true way back to the Father.

Yes, death continues to be horrible. And yes, sin is another kind of horror, the full extent of its horror hidden mostly from our eyes.

And yes, in the great cosmic rebellion of the fallen angels, Satan continues to employ yet another successful tactic: the violation of innocence. It is the fast, fast method of discouraging Christians and fending off conversions. For if he can convince us that there really is no Savior, that death and degradation are the true victors, then he has delivered a terrible blow to the Kingdom of God.

In his debate with the Father he wishes to prove that God’s ways are not the efficient method of rule. He wishes to prove himself equal or greater than God.

Such colossal pride is humbled every time a soul enters a confessional and admits that he needs a Savior.

Similarly, every new child born into the world is an incredible sign of hope. Every work of art that is true and beautiful and good, and every sincere prayer is a burst of light penetrating into the darkness, pushing back the tyranny of the night which still partly lies over the world.

Yes, it is still night. But as we await the Lord’s return, we are like people who watch for the dawn. The Scriptures tell us that it is not far off.

Do not be afraid, says the Word, I have already conquered the darkness.

The war is won and these are just the final battles. We remain in that brief waiting time when death and sin appear to speak their last dark messages with little to contradict them in our various societies and cultures.

But the final word is not theirs. It is the Lord’s, the Lamb who was slain, the eternal indestructible Word.

"I have come into the world as its light, to keep anyone who believes in me from remaining in the dark" (Jn 12:46).

—Michael O’Brien, a writer and artist, is the author of several novels published by Ignatius Press. He and his wife Sheila, friends of MH, have six children and live near Combermere.