Easter Light

"Flame, which is a figure for the soul, is also a figure for the living God; for 'God is light and in him there is no darkness.' As the flame radiates light so God radiates truth, and the soul by receiving truth is united with God, as our eyes by seeing its light are united with the flame. And, as the flame radiates heat, so does God radiate the warmth of goodness; and as the hand and the cheek by perceiving the warmth become one with the flame, so whoever loves God becomes one with him in goodness. But also, just as the candle remains free and disengaged in its place, so does God abide unmoved 'dwelling in unapproachable light.'

Flame, emitting light, emitting heat, is an image to us of the living God.

All this comes very much home to us on Holy Saturday when the Easter Candle, which symbolizes Christ, is lighted. Three times, each time in a higher tone, the deacon (sic) sings 'Lumen Christi'...At once every lamp and candle in the church is lighted from it, and the whole building is alight and aglow with the radiance and warmth of God's presence."

REV. ROMANO GUARDINI



O Splendor of the Father's light
That makes our daylight lucid, bring;
O Light of light and sun of day,
Now shine on us your brightest ray.

True Sun, break out on earth and shine
In radiance with your light divine;
By dazzling of your Spirit's might,
Oh, give our jaded senses light.

The Father sends his Son, our Lord,
To be his bright and shining Word;
Come, Lord, ride out your gleaming course
And be our dawn, our light's true source.


AMBROSE
Fourth Century