“I am the Light of the world; those who follow Me will have light and life." ~ John 8:12
The heavy bronze doors of St.
Patrick’s Cathedral were locked tightly. No crowds gathered amid the secular
bustle of Rockefeller Center; its neo-gothic archways and spires were only
dimly lit by the city streetlights. She’d arrived too late.
It was nearly 11 p.m., the night before Thanksgiving, and
the sprawling cathedral was closed. I
should have come sooner, she thought, swiping away a single tear. She’d blown the chance to light a candle in
honor of her Mom.
No matter the weather or her declining health – faithfully,
she’d make her pilgrimage to the back corner of the church and light a little
white candle in one of the votive glasses. Then she’d pray for every person on
her “list”- from her 5 kids to the homeless path she had crossed that day.
The candle’s glow prolonged her prayer and desire to remain
in God’s presence after she left the sanctuary.
Facing the first holiday without her, Sandra had vowed to
continue her tradition. St. Patrick’s was only a few blocks from her midtown
office. But every time she got up from her desk, something came up. New
clients. Last-minute meetings. Holiday deadlines. Soon it was too late.
So much for keeping traditions! Sandra sprinted to Penn
Station and slipped aboard the last train to Long Island just before the
sliding doors closed, reaching her stop just after midnight.
Shivering from the November chill, Sandra ducked into one of
the station’s four phone booths to call home. As he removed the receiver, a
crisp paper bag sitting upright on the shelf caught her attention. Curiously, she
peeked inside. Its contents sent a shiver as she felt her Mom’s presence.
Sandra’s husband pulled up a few minutes later, finding his
wife smiling and clutching the brown paper sack. “What’s in the bag?” he asked.
“A single white candle in a gold votive glass - waiting for
a match and a prayer,” Sandra replied.
“It’s time I own it, make no apologies, and deliver on the promise I
made to Mom.”
She now likes doing it and found that as her family grew, so
did her love for candle lighting. When the mood is relaxed, she sometimes lights
candles at home too, closing her eyes and saying special prayers for people on her
own “list.” When she opens them, she sees her children gathered around, copying
her. It’s such a special moment, she has to fight back the tears.
