First Hour Prayers - “Christ the True Light, Who enlightens and sanctifies everyone who comes into the world, imprint the light of Your countenance upon us, in order that we may see Your unapproachable light.”
Walking in the night without illumination, I thought I knew the way. I followed the trail and remained steadily on course and then I felt the branch of a briar bush touch my hand softly, but it did not alarm me. I kept walking in the way that was right in my own eyes. I knew I should seek the Light instead of walking in darkness, but I continued headlong onto the path. In the distance, the Light shined in my night. When I looked at the radiant Light, I could see.
Once I began to ponder how I might walk in this holy Light, the thorny briars grabbed hold of my arms and legs. Now I could see them; the path into their trap was easy to follow and spaciously wide. The way out was narrow and leaving was going to be difficult. Though they had allowed me to walk in their midst without any interference, they would not allow me to leave without great deterrence. I could retreat back into their twisted arms or I could push forward towards the humble Light. I started to move away from them, but their thorns sunk into me. They beckoned me to accept the embrace of their ensnaring arms of destruction. They promised me no trouble if I stayed. They promised me no pain if I remained. They promised me no end to my desires if from the forgiving Light I walked away. With their lying lips, they promised me everything in exchange for everything.
But freedom in the True Light called to me and I was ready to answer that call. I wanted to lose everything here that I may gain the only thing worth having there. How could I throw away the freedom before me to stay in these worldly chains? Indeed, I wanted to be set free.
Without negotiation, without wavering, without hesitation, I plunged forward towards the transformative Light. It showed me the way and offered me new life. I kept my eyes on it careless of how the thorns ferociously tore at me. They held my feet, they ripped my clothes, they drew my blood. They could not restrain me if my heart was set on the Light. They could not detain me if my mind was purified by the Light. They could not intimidate me if I placed my hope in the Light.
I no longer belong to the briar’s unending night, but walk as a child of the Light.