I have been thinking about icons after visiting the Icon
Exhibit at our local Cultural Activities Center here in Temple. It is a
remarkable collection of artwork by a Russian woman done in response to ancient
iconography. Icons are not part of my Presbyterian religious tradition and seem
like an exotic concept--one in which I have not participated. But then I notice
the Jesus candle that is burning next to me as I write.
I told my seminary classmates during my time at Austin
Presbyterian Theological Seminary that Jesus was my nightlight. It is a wonder
the old dorm building in which I lived during the week in my two years there did
not catch fire from the many candles that burned in many rooms at all hours. A
power shortage would not have been a problem. I kept a candle with Jesus and
his Sacred Heart pasted on the glass container near the window on my built-in
desk in my dorm room. And I kept it lit all night long. I took great comfort
from the visual reminder that Jesus was with me during that challenging
journey.
I do not remember when the Jesus candle habit originated. I
think perhaps some years ago when I taught an adult Sunday school class using
Richard Foster’s book, Prayer, a
follow-up to his book, Celebration of
Discipline, which included prayer. In the class, I used the Jesus candle as
a focal point for our prayers. I still keep a Jesus candle burning on our
kitchen table. I light it first thing in the morning while I wait for my coffee
to brew. My youngest son teased me once a few years ago about the practice, and
for probably the only time in my life, I said the right thing at the right
time: “The candle is a reminder that Jesus is Lord of this house.” I usually
keep a spare Jesus candle on the kitchen counter so I never run out of the
light of Jesus.
Recently the candle burned out on Sunday afternoon, and we
were without a replacement until I returned from the grocery store Monday
morning. I missed the light more than I expected. I do not spend a lot of time
sitting and looking at the candle, except at times like now when I’m working at
the kitchen table, but it is a comfort to know it is burning there. The candle
is a reminder of who, and whose, I am. I’m a visual person, so I value visual
symbols, icons perhaps.
I do not normally keep the candle burning here at home
overnight. But sometimes I leave it lit as a constant prayer in time of need
for individuals, for whole communities, or for myself and those I love. At such
times, the light of Jesus is a reminder that Jesus continues to pray for us. Sometimes,
Jesus is still my nightlight.
Grace and Peace,
Donna
