A Candle’s Flame

A candle’s flame, the most common but, perhaps, most beautiful expression of fire, seldom fails to draw the human eye, which is rarely indifferent to its flickering charm. Though always the same, the flame never repeats its harmonious movements. Endeavoring to capture the flame’s glowing dance, alas, an artist must settle for a single one of its countless outlines.

Perhaps the flame’s changeability points to its many symbols.

A candle’s flame is the tenderest expression of fire. Seemingly fragile, hesitant, it flickers in need of protection. Continually reborn of the wax that sustains and nourishes it, it dissolves into thin air. On an altar, especially during Holy Mass, its tenderness calls to mind God’s infinite goodness, His burning love and protection of His frail children.

Saint Bonaventure writes that fire warms the love of God in us. That is, the contemplation of fire and flame can stoke in us the love of the Creator of wonders, even if the thought of Him is not explicit.

To produce light, the candle consumes itself in “sacrifice.” As fire transforms the wax, the droplets of wax gathered around the flame are like so many sacrificial tears; so also sacrifice purifies our souls.

Thus, on the altar, the flame gently lifts our minds to Our Lord Jesus Christ, Light of the World, Who offered and consumed Himself as a victim for all.

On one hand, as we contemplate fire, its mysteries warm our thoughts. Fire is light to our eyes, a protector from the cold, and a purifier—but it can also destroy.

On the other hand, the flickering, frail flame of a candle reminds contemporary man of how fragile is God’s love in this world. A single person who truly loves God can ignite many souls. There are saints, such as Saint Bernard and Saint Teresa of Avila, who set nations and continents on fire. But the élan of God’s love can be smothered by temptations, especially in the wicked days in which we live.

Saint Thomas Aquinas notes that, in its verticality, the flame seeks to soar. This natural movement is one of its symbols. On the altar, the upward flicker leads our eyes, thoughts and desires to God on high. Sursum Corda, “Lift up your hearts,” Habemus ad Dominum, “We have lifted them up to the Lord.”

When we enter an empty church, nothing is more comforting than candles burning at the altar of Our Lady or that of a saint. From a distance their light proclaims living faith and persistent devotion, their glow welcomes and protects us. We kneel by a side altar to pray and the minutes fly by. Sooner or later we must leave; but we can light a candle which will symbolically take our place and burn while we are away.