Last night's bonfire reconciliation service was one of the most moving experiences of my life. Gathered around the fire pit in the dying light of the setting sun, we placed a lit candle around the fire one by one, either in silence or while sharing what was on our hearts and minds, confessing our faults and failing as well as our desires to be better people. Many were moved to tears, their own hearts pierced by the pain and hope of others as much as by the love and support each of us offered in return.
When it was my turn to place my candle around the fire, I shared with everyone that I'm going through a difficult time, that I've been depressed and lost and so self-absorbed in my own pain that I've neglected those closest to me. And I shared my hope that I can start to pick up the pieces and heal myself somehow and be more considerate, loving, and kind to the people around me, especially those who I'm unintentionally hurting with my self-destructive behaviour.
There's a line from Leonard Cohen's "Anthem" that Fr. Michael likes to use: "There is a crack in everything / That's how the light gets in." He said that those cracks are where we're broken, and yet, it's those very same cracks that can make the world a brighter place if we work on them. And in the darkness of that night, the world felt just a little bit brighter.
