I suppose one of the most discouraging passages of Scripture would be this: “The whole world is in the power of the evil one” (1Jn. 5:19). We find a few similar passages in the Bible. St Paul refers to the devil as “the god of this world” (2Cor. 4:4). Jesus Himself called him “the ruler of this world” (Jn. 14:30). A sobering fact. I don’t need to list here the litany of evils that plague our world, especially modern Western society—they are well known to all who are trying to live a Christian life in this world. How do we slog our way through the mire of wickedness and make our way to the Kingdom of Heaven?
Here I’m not going to go into all the usual (and indispensable) practices of our Faith, which I’ve already done on numerous occasions. I’d like to just indicate a few “ordinary graces” (and one extraordinary one) that help us realize that the light shines in the darkness, so that the darkness will never overcome it. To all the evils, sufferings and sorrows in the world, there is still an “and yet…”
I was taking a 
walk up the mountain last week, still grieving over the death of my friend Laura. Such losses can weigh heavily on us. And yet, as I was walking, I noticed a large, lovely yellow-and-black monarch butterfly practically hovering above me. It came between the sun and my eyes, so that its already striking colors became brilliantly translucent in the bright sunbeam. The sudden appearance of this joyful splash of color was a delightful symbol of the simple, innocent, radiant beauty that comes from God’s creative hand and which will be our eternal delight in Paradise—here for me to enjoy in anticipation, a comfort in a time of sorrow. [After writing the first draft of this post I went up the mountain again. I saw a spotted fawn skipping happily through the forest, with mama-doe close by, eyeing me carefully in her maternal protectiveness. Another little bright spot in the day.]
There may be other reasons why we might feel disconsolate, lonely, exhausted, discouraged, etc. And yet, we may receive an unexpected gift, as I did a couple weeks ago. Someone has thought of us, cared for us, brought a ray of light into the darkness. This probably has happened to you once in a while. It’s just a bit of light from Heaven. It may be a small thing, but if it smoothes just one of life’s jagged edges for a while, it is a blessing.
Because of the weight of the evils of the world, some of which may be causing us great suffering, or which may apparently be claiming some of our own family members or friends, we may feel without strength or hope or wisdom. And yet, the Lord has given us the precious gift of the Holy Eucharist, his own abiding presence—He who said: “You will suffer in the world; but take courage, I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33). His life can be our life; his grace flows through us as we eat and drink the price of our redemption. In the Byzantine Liturgy, shortly before the offering of the holy gifts, the priest prays: “No one who is bound to carnal desires or pleasures is worthy to approach You or to draw near to You or to minister to You, O King of Glory… And yet, because of your love for mankind—a love beyond expression or measure—You became man… You were appointed our High Priest and…handed down to us the priestly ministry of this liturgical and unbloody sacrifice…” We are unworthy, full of weaknesses and limitations—and yet, the Lord deigned to become man for our sakes and to bequeath to his Church the grace to make perpetually present the mystery of his all-perfect and saving Sacrifice, that we might have life, and have it abundantly.
We experience apparent tragedies: deaths, accidents, injuries, illnesses, losses, setbacks and disappointments of all kinds. And yet, along with funerals and hospital visits and the like, there are new births, weddings, baptisms, first Holy Communions, graduations, ordinations, etc—all signs and experiences of joy and hope and blessing. We live in a fallen world; things could be much worse if we received our just due. But God in his love has chosen to sweeten our exile with gifts of grace and of simple human joys which remind us that, even if the world is in the power of the devil in many ways, the devil does not have the last word. That belongs to God, and to those who have put their faith and trust in Him. You will surely have, in your own experience, more blessings to consider. But I’m just trying to awaken that awareness in you (and in me too, now that I think about it!).
The power of evil and the crushing weight of sin, sorrow, and pain are only temporary. The eternal reign and authority belong to God alone, who grants eternal happiness to those who love Him. Even though we may walk in the valley of the shadow of death, we ought not fear, for He is with us. The darkness of night may find us sorrowful—and yet, joy comes with dawn (see Ps. 29/30:6).
Making All Things New 