JRR Tolkien died today in 1973. He wrote:
“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.”

Tolkien went to daily mass because he loved the Blessed Sacrament: “There you will find romance, glory, honor, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves on earth.”

Today’s first reading shined a light on that true way of love: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 God did not destine us for wrath but for salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether awake or asleep we live together with him. Therefore, encourage and build each other up.

It is so easy to forget. The sin and guilt, the violence of the surrounding day, apostasy, ridicule, my own fears, it all clouds the truth. You love us, God. You are not going to reject us or destroy. You created us in love. You continue to sustain us, even though we don’t use your sustenance for the pure purpose of your giving. And then, most glorious of all, there is the love and sacrifice of your Son. A light. The Light. That appears in the darkness. The darkness of noon on the cross. The darkness of the night before around the Table. The darkness of the grave. The darkness of our sin-shrouded souls.

Tolkien loved the Eucharist. I should learn to love it more too. It is where you meet us, Master, with hope, in the darkness, with light, forgiveness, a flicker to light in each of us a tiny flame to carry with us, in us, for others, as we walk and live and encourage in the darkness. The light in the cup, the bread, around the Table, you. Each day renewed again in loaf and wine.

Shine, Jesus. (Maybe you do and I just need to go to mass each day too). Fan into flame the hope, the love, the light, your Spirit, in me.

2025/09/02 — Image generated with ChatGPT (OpenAI). Words by Tim Booth. Tolkien quotes from Give Us This Day.