‘Night had fallen’
(see John 13:21-33,36,38)
One of the most famous and enigmatic stage directions from William Shakespeare is in his play ‘The Winter’s Tale’ when Antigonus is given the direction ‘Exit, pursued by a bear.’ This sudden appearance of a bear chasing off Antigonus to his death often amuses and mystifies modern readers.
Today’s gospel reading is indeed a dramatic piece of writing, and whilst there are no stage directions, the imagery and symbolism provide us with a moving and tense narrative. The dialogue between Jesus and his disciples is filled with pathos as Peter, concerned about the news of betrayal, leans across to the Beloved Disciple to ask him to find out from Jesus who it is. The disciples eye one another with suspicion. They even doubt themselves. As Judas eventually leaves the table and makes his exit, prompted by Jesus to do what he must do quickly, we are told ‘Night had fallen.’ It is a symbolic stage direction, a sentence loaded with meaning. There is cause to shiver, as Judas flees into the darkness.
It is into this darkness that Jesus will move, wrestling with God among the darkened olive branches of Gethsemane’s Garden, as torch bearing police move in quickly to arrest him and take him to trial. In Elie Wiesel’s book about his experience of the Jewish Holocaust in the Death Camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau, the image of Night pervades. There is much darkness in the world, and so many places and situations in which Night has fallen. ‘I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth,’ we read in Isaiah’s prophecy. Through this Holy Week, as we enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s suffering and death, may we trust in God’s power to save. In the faith of the Resurrection, may we bring his light and his love to the situations in the world today where there is darkness and hatred. With the psalmist, may our prayer be ‘My lips will tell of your justice, and day by day of your help… I will proclaim your wonders still.’
Our daily reflections for Lent focus on the many injustices which exist in our world, as we seek to connect our life of prayer to social justice, the Justice of God which Christ proclaimed. More resources are available at www.southcardiffministryarea.co.uk/just-lent
South Cardiff Ministry Area 