A source of joy is my discovery of Fix the News. Mainstream media still run on the maxim that “if it bleeds it leads.” But Fix the News focuses on progress throughout the world. Their motto could be “If it feeds, it leads.” They “understand progress as something woven into the fabric of human experience.” It reminds me of the Magi whom we celebrated on the Feast of the Epiphany. They followed a star rather than a trail of blood. Here is an excerpt from Fix the News’s conversation with Jane Goodall:

I see humanity at the mouth of a long dark tunnel and there’s a little star at the end that’s hope. But there’s no good sitting at the mouth of the tunnel and just waiting for the star to come; you’ve got to crawl under, climb over, work around all the obstacles between us and that star.

February 2 is the Feast of the Presentation, a feast of light as we turn toward springtime. We celebrate the moment when an old prophet named Simeon greets the infant Jesus in the Jerusalem temple. Simeon waited all his life to see the Light of the world with his own eyes. Now he does:

… my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
a light for revelation to the nations,
and glory for your people Israel.” (Lk 2:30–32)

I’m working toward Goodall’s star of hope and Simeon’s joyous Light, and I believe the mischievous Holy Spirit has an ace up the sleeve. I hope you, too, will find the strengthening Light to carry on.

If you haven’t yet, read this article on staying grounded by Daniel Hunter in Sojourners. He gives practical advice on cultivating trust, on grief, embracing our limitations, committing to a path, and more.

Or read Diana Butler Bass’s 10-point list of daily practices to help you stay “fireproof” in a world on fire. Her list reminds me of Tessa Bielecki’s inspiring “Contemplative Rhythms.”

So what specifically clouded my vision in recent weeks? Two examples. On January 9, we commemorated the life of Jimmy Carter, a man whose criticism of Israeli policy in Occupied Palestinian Territory now seems mild compared to recent reports from the International Criminal Court, Amnesty International, and the International Court of Justice. The military offensive against Gaza, which Amnesty International has concluded is genocide, entered a “cease fire” even as settlers are “burning towns and committing violence” in the occupied West Bank, according to Christian peacemaker organization Sabeel.

And on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we inaugurated a president who promises to rid us of “invaders.” Twice a month I celebrate masses at parishes in the American West, and half the masses are in Spanish. I look out on beautiful immigrant families thriving and contributing to their communities. Many face the threat of deportation.

We have hopeful, just, and liberating alternatives. I want to celebrate the saving paradox of unconditional joy despite mayhem. “Be joyful,” counsels Wendell Berry, “though you have considered all the facts.” I got swamped by too many facts and not enough basking in Berry’s “peace of wild things.” Practicing joy is non-cooperation with the “national emergency” myth that tries to convince us that some party or minority or communist conspiracy is destroying America, and the only ones who can stop the evil are autocrats, billionaires and religious malpractitioners.

I saw a beam of starlight when Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde spoke to the newly elected President Trump at the Washington National Cathedral after the inauguration. And now, I’m slowing down to bask more frequently in the Light. I’m reflecting on Carmelite mystic St. John of the Cross’s poem, “The Dark Night.” John knew a lot about darkness. His own brethren threw him in jail! The night and a fire in his heart guided him toward a wondrous Love.

If light and hope wane for you, may joy visit you, strike a match in your heart, and guide you through the darkness that becomes a “happy night” of Love.

Nothing can stop you then.