Earlier on Saturday thousands of people across Ireland and in other parts of the world, got up early and walked from ‘Darkness into Light’ to raise money for Pieta House. Most started walking at 4.15 a.m while it was still dark and as they walked the 5km route, they walked from darkness into the light of dawn. Not only was the event a very important fundraising event, it was also an important awareness event for Pieta House. It will help them to promote suicide prevention and to tackle the stigma that leads people to the doors of Pieta House. Pieta House offers free counselling to those who suffer from suicidal ideation, to those who have been bereaved by suicide and for people who are engaging in self harm. The staff are fully qualified and provide a professional one to one counselling service.

The concept of ‘Darkness to Light’ has huge spiritual significance too. The Easter story is built on light shattering darkness. At the heart of the Easter story is that God is light and love. We all experience darkness, sadness and difficulties from time to time and sometimes the experience can be hugely difficult. It is good and important to know that in the midst of our deepest darkness, light is near and always will be. Even if we are not sure where this light is, we can trust that there are others who gladly want to hold the light for us.

Of huge importance is that God is not the cause of our darkness, but is very much with us in the darkness of our own lives. This means that God is always calling us towards the light and never wants us to remain stuck in darkness. We pray today for anyone who is searching for the light, anyone who is looking for the light and anyone who is not sure in which direction to search. A key feature of dawn is that it slowly takes hold and gently pushes the darkness out. May God’s light gently fill your life too today and indeed every day.