Liturgy Lesson for the Ninth Sunday after Trinity: Light of the World

August 1, 2010

Church lights (candles) symbolize God’s Presence in the sanctuary and the spiritual enlightenment His Gospel brings our lives. Looking at the chancel (by the communion rails) in All Saints, we see two major lights. First on the Gospel (left side) we see a small red light mounted on the wall. This is the Altar Lamp that burns in honor of the constant Real Presence in our parish from the reserve Sacrament (consecrated wine and host) in the Tabernacle—the small, ornate box centered on the back portion of the Holy Table. The other major lights are the candles on the Table, divided into two groups, signifying Jesus in both His divine and human natures. At our parish, you’ll see two groups of three each on the back of the Table, called “Office Lights,” lit when conducting the offices of the Church, such as Morning/Evening Prayer, Holy Matrimony, or Funeral services. The two lights in front of these are the Communion Lights, used during the Eucharist. All the lights echo Christ’s words, when He said, “I am the Light of the World” (St. John 8:12) and other passages referring to God’s light, such as St. Matt. 4:16 and St. Luke 2:32. They recall times when ancient Christians met at night to avoid discovery and needed the lights to worship, but are retained to remind us of those days and to focus us on our Heavenly Father of Lights. Scriptural authority is solid for their use—found in Ex 25:31 & 40:25, Lev 24:2 & II Chron 13:11— and reminds us—we carry the Light of Christ!

Posted by Father Chip | Filed Under Liturgy Lessons