The City of Darkness


In a certain city was a people of abundance. They lived under the protection of God and were blessed in abundance, so much that they forgot the source of abundance.

The hearts of the people grew darker and evil. They became so evil that the sun refused to shine by day, nor the moon by night. The city became completely black with darkness. And in the darkness of day and night, their hearts were also. 

Time and time went by; they accustomed themselves with the darkness of the day and the darkness of the night that they could see in the dark. They carried on with their businesses just as when there was sun and moon.

One day, a certain man carrying a mighty torch came to the City of Darkness. The people of the city could not stand the brightness of the light he bore. For there was complete brightness throughout the entire city. 

The swayer summoned the man and said, "Why cometh thou to our city?" He replied, "I was sent by your God to bring forth light unto this city which once had light." The swayer replied, "Return where ever thou cometh. For we have no light yet we see, but your light blinds us." Then the man said to the swayer, "Too long have you dwelt in darkness. Yes! You may get blind for a while, but you shalt see again."  And the swayer finally said, "It is for us wiser that we continue to see as in darkness than to be blinded and see later."

And so the man with his light was banished from the City of Darkness. As he left, few of the dwellers of the city followed him. Out of the city, he made for each of them their own torches from his own torch, and told them to go into many cities and spread the light. 

Some of whom were giving torches returned to the City of Darkness. When they did, some were beaten, some were killed, and others were able to spread the light to those whom were willing to risk their lives. And others went towards new cities to spread the light.

"He who sees light, let him seize it. He who has light, let him put it on a light stand so that it gives light unto others."

 So is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Background picture by: Akiane Kramarik