Editor's Note: Most Reverend Michael J. Sis celebrated his first Sunday liturgy as Bishop of San Angelo, February 1-2, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in San Angelo. On the liturgical calendar, the bishop's first Mass fell on the Sunday when Catholics celebrate the Presentation of the Lord. It was also Candlemas. Below is the final few minutes of Bishop Sis' first homily as bishop.
Candle Homily and Meditation Candlemas — February 1, 2014 Most Reverend Michael J. Sis Bishop of San Angelo
I would like to be like a candle. And I hope that you, too, would pray that you would be like a candle. Not an unlit candle, like those sitting on the table here, but like those on the altar, burning brightly.
I would want to be like a lit candle, not an unlit candle.
Think about a lit candle. What is the source of light? A candle itself is not the source of light. The candle has received the flame and pulls the flame and nourishes the flame and allows the flame to shine its light all around, but it’s not the candle itself that is the source of the light and heat. It is the flame that is the source of its light and heat.
You and I, as Christians, want to be like lit candles. We want to be candles where our life is being spent and consumed. If a candle keeps burning, the candle will go down, down, down because the candle wax is consumed. In the same way you and I, like good candles, allow ourselves to be spent and to be consumed, so that, as candles, we are being spent and consumed, and our light is shining into the world because of that. The light and the word of Christ is shining into the world and, like good candles, you and I are being spent for the sake of that light.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world, but Jesus also experienced the darkness of suffering, rejection and death. And in that experience of darkness all around him, Jesus courageously let his light shine through that darkness. His light was not afraid of the darkness. He didn’t run from it, he shined right into the darkness and thereby transformed that darkness.
Around us in the world there is darkness. The darkness of sin and of suffering and of death. There are all kinds of darkness around us. And so when you and I are in moments of darkness, we should never forget that God is with us. Even though there might be darkness all around, God is with us. Even when it all seems lost, and forsaken, even when we pass through the darkness, God is with us and God will bring us through. His light shows the way through the darkness and his light transforms it by his presence.
By taking this same meditation I offer you about candles and light, I want you to try something at your homes. It is very simple and everybody can do it. It. Get a little candle, light it and sit there, comfortable and relaxed. Quiet. Turn off the TV and the radio and in the quiet and silence, watch that candle burn. And when you are looking at the candle, you remember your desire for God. Call to mind your deep desire for union with God and look into the flame of that candle and allow your eyes to focus on that flame and open your heart to the Lord, who is the light of the world, and in the stillness of that quiet time, be aware of that presence of Christ who is the light shining into your heart, and you say, “Lord, let my life, like this candle, be consumed by your love. Let me be your candle, set me on fire with the light of your love and let me shine on everyone I meet so that I can also recognize your face in them. You, Lord, gave me the light of faith from the day I was baptized. Help me to keep that flame burning brightly until the day you welcome me into heaven in the splendor of your glory, forever and ever amen.”