大象传媒

Good morning. There is a well-known hymn written by John Henry Newman and which comes to mind on this anniversary of his death on 11th August 1890. Newman was an Oxford academic, an Anglican who began as a member of the evangelical wing of the Church of England. Later he converted to Catholicism after which his Oxford career ended. So impressive was his contribution to the life of the Catholic Church in England that in 1879 he was made a Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII. 鈥淟ead Kindly Light鈥� became a well-known and much loved hymn, sung across most Christian traditions. It is said that when the Carpathia arrived to pick up survivors after the sinking of the Titanic, it was Newman鈥檚 hymn which was being sung by those fortunate enough to have secured a place in the lifeboats. Many a believer facing despair has found a deep comfort from these words, which encourage us to take one step at a time, even when the darkness round about us makes taking a step of any kind a matter of faith.
"Lead, Kindly Light, amidst the encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.鈥�
Lord may it be that for those for whom today will be a struggle, there may be comfort and hope from these old words born out of one good man鈥檚 struggle to be holy. Amen.