A candle can serve a number of purposes. It can provide primitive light, a pleasant scent, or warm ambiance. But from a spiritual perspective, the candle can be a beautiful symbol of the way that we Christians are called to live our lives. One can look at the symbolism of a candle in many ways. For instance, some of us may feel like we are candles burning from both ends! But what about the votive candles that are often found in our parishes? What do they symbolize?

When we offer a prayer or petition to God before a lit candle, it stands as a reminder that our prayers continue even after we leave the church. The glorious symbolism of a candle calls us to remember the light of Christ. The light from a candle is steady, and while the flame might waver slightly in a strong breeze, it immediately returns to the task at hand. The candle completely offers itself in a sacrificial way, from the inside out. It lives to serve just one purpose, to consistently shed light for others until its time comes to be extinguished.

As my conversion continues and I grow in the spiritual life, I seek to find these hidden reminders in the beauty of God’s creation. I pray that one day, the light of Christ will shine through me in peaceful and consistent manner, just like the flame from a candle.