396th Meditation
“Even were I to walk in a ravine as dark as death I should fear no danger, for you are at my side. Your staff and your crook are there to soothe me” (Ps 23:4).
After having lost Paradise with the fall into sin, life on earth does not always take place in the bright sunshine, as we have certainly all had to experience. We also have to pass through dark glens, which make us fearful. However, Jesus assures us: “In the world you will have hardship, but be courageous: I have conquered the world” (Jn 16:33).
There is yet to come that life illuminated without limits by the splendour of our Father’s love, where there are no more dark ravines. That is where we are on pilgrimage.
If Holy Scripture exhorts us to think of our end (Sir 7:36) and to live with vigilance, aware that one day we will die, then the vision of eternity will help us not to lose hope and orientation when we cross dark ravines.
Our Father allows these to exist so that we may grow spiritually and learn to trust Him. When we reach the dark ravines, He holds us even more tightly so that we do not go astray. Once we have walked through them holding His hand and the light shines again and we rejoice, we will know that it was God who led us through the valleys of darkness.
If we allow this inner experience with the Lord to settle deep in our hearts, filling us with gratitude, we will emerge strengthened from the dark ravines and they will serve as training in case we have to go through a difficult stage in our journey again, or even a time of tribulation for all mankind.
Confidence assures us that, “even were I to walk in a ravine as dark as death I should fear no danger, for you are at my side. Your staff and your crook are there to soothe me.”