A couple of years ago, Saturday existed as the day before Sunday. Today, Saturday equals Vespers, the official beginning to the Liturgy. In Vespers, we thank God for the creation of the entire world. At Matins, we thank God for the Resurrection. And at Liturgy, we see the Work of the People joining with the Mysteries of God. I love the cycle, even though I struggle to comprehend all that is happening.
However, most people observe a tradition even before they enter the nave. They light a candle. Today, I recalled standing with a candle as I entered the Catechumenate. My Catechumenate has been longer than most, yet the challenge for all the faithful is to remember our first love, to stay open to Christ within the Church, and to be increasingly transformed into the likeness of Christ. In a way, the challenge is to retain the spirit of a Catechumen. Every time I enter a parish, I can remember beginning my Catechumenate. With every candle I light, I can offer myself anew to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
A Catechumen's Candle
