There is a mystical teaching among Hasidic Jews that the world is sustained by 36 righteous men. These men are unknown to each other, indeed most of them do not know their own role. Their number has been maintained for many generations, but if ever one of them would die and not be replaced, that would be the end of the world.

Now, there are things about this that I don’t buy, the mystical aspects in particular. But it did get me to thinking. I do believe that there are righteous men, and women, in the world, and the world is a better place because of their presence in it. They are largely unknown to each other and unconscious of the good that is done by their lives. But as they go about their lives, and in small ways try to make life more endurable for others, they probably do more to sustain the world than what is accomplished by great works of philanthropy and social justice.

The people who do the most good do not blow a trumpet to announce what they have done. In fact, they probably feel that they have done very little. Perhaps you know someone who is kind, patient and cheerful, ready to share time with the lonely and broken-hearted, ready to forgive when wronged, ready to express thanks for any little thing that others do for them.

They may be Christians, in fact all of us who are Christians should be like that. They may be Jews, Muslims, unbelievers; let’s thank God for the good such people do, because whether they understand it or not, their good works are evidence of the influence of God in their lives.

Cursing the darkness has no beneficial effect on the world. Let’s look for, and be thankful for, every candle that glimmers in the darkness. And may you and I be among those candles that prevent the world from falling into hopeless darkness.