“Fade to black.”  These ominous words signal in our consciousness an end to the story that we have been following.  When the movie ends or the play concludes we see the simple words that signal the end:  “Fade to black.”  In every movie or play we eventually will come to the final act and all things will “fade to black.”  We are left in the darkness and we must confront this darkness in our lives.  What comes after the end of all things?  Are we to be left alone in the darkness?  When Jesus speaks to his disciples about the end of time, he speaks to them about a time of darkness and distress.  “In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” (Mk 13,24)  In the beginning, the world was covered in darkness and chaos, and into this darkness, God spoke his creative Word and called forth the Light to shine in the darkness and order to be brought to the primal chaos of the world.  Life was called forth out of the darkness into the light and creation unfolded in the light of a new day, the first day.  At the end of time, it will seem to those living in those days that everything is returning to chaos and darkness.  

    At the end of the day, we experience the darkness gradually like a dimming of the light.  Darkness comes upon us as a fading of the light.  Darkness seems to sneak up on us.  The light that we have been accustomed to in our lives gradually begins to dim and fade.  The sources of light that we once depended upon one by one begin to blink out.  Doubt enters into our lives.  We no longer see things clearly.  We enter into a world of ambiguities.  Everything becomes grey and undefined.  Perhaps the first indications of the fading light is our inability to perceive beauty, truth and goodness in the world.  In this world of half-light and uncertainty it is easy for us to lose our way.  It is a time of great distress.  The prophet Daniel calls it a “time unsurpassed in distress.” (Dan 12,1)  There seems to be more and more times of “great distress” in our experience of the world today.  Violence, racism, sexual abuse and terrorist activities seem to be a part of our everyday news cycle.  Natural disasters seem to be more severe and prevalent.  There is a distorted view of freedom and rights.  We are confused about nature itself as natural gender identity is called into question by gender ideologies.  There is a general sense of “un-belonging” in church, marriage and family life.  More and more people are enslaved by addictions and substance abuse problems.  As the light fades, are we left without hope?  

    Peter encourages us to, “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” (1Pt 3,15)  Our hope is certain, even in times of great uncertainty.  The reason for our hope is the light of Christ which will not be extinguished.  “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (Jn 1,5)  In the darkest part of the night, Christ, the new dawn, stands ready at the gate to bring a new day.  In the deepest heart of winter, when the darkness has advanced, there are signs of new life and the coming of the spring.  Jesus points out the lesson of the fig tree which tells us when summer is near as an indication that in times of great darkness and distress, Jesus stands at the gate of time to usher in a new day.  “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Mk 13,31)  The Word of promise that God has sent us in his Son will not fail us.  

    For those who have faith and who love, there is always a reason for hope.  The world may, “fade to black,” but the prophet Daniel assures us that: “The wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.” (Daniel 12,3)  The sun and the moon may fail but in the New Jerusalem, the city of God, we are told:  “The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.  The nations will walk by its light, and to it the kings of the earth will bring their treasure.  During the day its gates will never be shut, and there will be no night there.” (Rev 21,23ff)  Perhaps the exterior sources of light will one day fade but the interior light of faith will guide us through the darkness into the light of a new day in Christ Jesus.  Be wise and keep your lamps lit and your light shining!