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The analogy of a wax candle. A candle is formed by someone else; it gives light in spite of itself; the tiniest candle dispels darkness; darkness cannot overcome it. The wick feeds on the wax; the wax is the support for both the fire and the up-rightness; the purer the wax, the steadier the flame; the wick is consumed by fire. God produces the wax in the natural order of things [bees]. The very men who are going to be served by its light manufacture the wick. It needs an outside source [flame] to ignite it. It has to be protected against an ill wind. It can be re-lit after it becomes extinguished. More candles can be lit from it. A raging inferno could begin from it. We are the candles of Christ! We are molded like wax and a wick for the purpose of producing light. Jesus says, "You are the light of the world." HOW ARE WE LIKE CANDLES? God set in motion a process of nature--Bees produce wax by being bees. We are the flesh which God has ordained to be His instruments to take the light to the ends of the earth. The beeswax is gathered to be formed into a 'candle'. We are gathered and formed in the name of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be His Body, the Church. When that candle is prepared, a flame has to be applied to ignite the wick; it is lit when there is a need. The darkness of the mind and soul are the 'need', and the grace of God is ignited within us to meet the need. As a lit candle must be protected from the winds of the world, so must we, the lights unto the world, be protected by prayer, from the evil winds of men. And as other candles are lit from the first candles, we pass the light onto others. Radiant Lord, may we be a candle of light as a Sacrament of Your Presence. Brighten and purify our light, so that as it streams forth, may your Divine Wisdom flow. May we truly see You, our God, in one another. In Your Holy Will, may we be more perfect vessels, take our lights from under the bushel basket, and hasten the building up of your Kingdom, Amen and so be it!
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