Sermon On A Single Candle

St. Francis of Assisi, an Italian deacon, mystic and poet once remarked: "All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle." Matthew 5:14-16 reminds us: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Candles are defined as sticks of wax or other flammable solids (Like tallow, soy, beeswax, coconut wax) with a central wick, used for light, heat, fragrance, decoration, and symbolic/religious purposes, working by burning the fuel slowly to create a sustained flame. When ignited, the heat vaporizes the wax, and the vapor combusts, producing light and heat until the fuel is gone, with the wick acting as a controlled fuel delivery system. A single flame can create sufficient illumination to deny the darkness in which it is placed.

Symbolically, in many faiths, God is described as "the light of the world," representing divine truth, holiness, guidance, and life, with key scriptural references in Christianity (Jesus declaring "I am the light," and God as pure light) and Islam (Allah as the "Light of the heavens and the earth"). This metaphor signifies God as the ultimate source of spiritual understanding, dispelling darkness (ignorance, sin, death) and illuminating the path to righteousness and eternal life, often through creation and revelation. In the Gospel of John 8:12 Jesus says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Darkness is fundamentally the absence or deficiency of light, a condition where photons are lacking, making it hard or impossible to see, often appearing as black or deep shadows. Scientifically, it's a lack of illumination, but metaphorically, it represents evil, ignorance, sadness, or the unknown, influencing art, literature, and culture across many traditions, from the darkness of night to concepts like dark matter. Darkness can create both a perceived and actual increase in certain dangers, primarily by impairing human vision and providing cover for illicit activities. Humans are primarily visual creatures, and their visual function is significantly impaired in low light. This natural limitation is a primary driver of the fear associated with darkness. The Bible features many stories and passages about light, starting with Genesis 1:3 where God speaks light into existence at creation, separating it from darkness, and continuing in the New Testament where Jesus calls his followers the "light of the world" (Matthew 5:14-16), instructing them to let their good deeds shine like a lamp on a stand, not hidden, so others see God's glory.

John's Gospel further identifies Jesus as the spiritual light that overcomes darkness, giving life and truth to humanity, with believers called to walk in that light. Darkness makes it harder for potential victims to spot temptation and for witnesses to identify perpetrators, a factor that some offenders may exploit. In a spiritual and religious context, sin is frequently described and symbolized as darkness, which is contrasted with God as the light. Darkness is often used as a metaphor for the absence of God's goodness, holiness, and truth, just as physical darkness is the absence of light. Sin "grows best in the dark" and people often try to hide their wrongdoing, shame, and guilt in secrecy. This hidden nature gives sin power over a person, while bringing it to "light" through confession is seen as the path to forgiveness and freedom. Light overcomes a darkness, it provides hope, clarity and vision. From a scientific standpoint, light is a primary carrier of information about the universe, which allows us to discover objective truths about reality. 1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Jesus is frequently compared to a candle and light in Christianity, symbolizing Him as the "Light of the World" who dispels spiritual darkness, offering truth, life, and guidance, much like a candle brings light into a dark room, leading people to God's presence and eternal life. This imagery is central to John's Gospel, where Jesus is described as the divine light, and it's used in church traditions like Advent candles, Christingles, and Paschal candles, representing His illuminating power and sacrifice.

Spiritually, darkness is considered the absence of God's presence, just as physical darkness is the absence of light. Sin thrives in secrecy and hiddenness; bringing sin into the "light" through confession and repentance removes its power. The "power of sin," primarily discussed in Christian theology, refers to its pervasive, controlling influence that separates humans from God, corrupts nature, paralyzes the will, and leads to spiritual death, but this power is considered broken and defeated through faith in Jesus Christ, offering freedom and a new life in God. It's seen as a force that creates a deep-seated inclination towards disobedience, making people do what they don't want to do, even when knowing better, and can manifest as delusion or a rebellious heart.