Consider the phrase “luminous darkness.” What does that look like-shining, shimmering, reflecting, glossy, black? Where do we find that deep, rich black that shines and illuminates? Or consider “generative darkness.” Who brings us that deep, fecund, nourishing dark soil? In this Lenten time of repentance, our guest writer, Marian McKone offers us these images of darkness as a corrective to our limited stereotypes of dark and light. She draws us gently towards the darkness as a positive image of nourishment and clarity of vision, and provides us with inspiring examples of luminous and generative people of color.