I burn a candle to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It is near to end and, morning hour and time of spirit passed, I leave it burning. I don’t know how others are, but I feel helped in my spirit and prayer with the aid of certain saints, icons, prayers, and images on which to focus. This one, for whatever reason, hasn’t helped me as much as others.
For me, the Lady of Lourdes has given me strongest aid. I know the Lady of Lourdes and the Immaculate Heart of Mary are to Woman one and the same, but the image and the prayer are different, and toward them, so am I.
Still, I burn it in my morning hour (or time, however more or less).
Today, my youngest son finds it on the table. He holds its glass within his hands, feeling its warmth of light, and from image on front, he turns to the back reading prayer in his mind.
“Do you want to read it to me?” I ask.
He shakes his head, no.
“Can I?” I ask, leaning in to read.
I begin.
He interjects. “Wait, can I?” he asks. His mind is changed.
He reads, light and heat of prayer and candle in his hold:
“O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring and cons…”
“Consoling…”
“Consoling lady,” he continues. “We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and…”
“Intercession…”
“Intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share e…”
“Eternal…”
“Eternal life and peace with God forever. Amen.”
Suddenly, for the months and time of burning, when sense of Spirit wasn’t there—it is. Maybe the candle, prayer to the Immaculate Heart, did not move me; but it moved my son. In his reading, recital and speak of prayer, I am moved as well.
Such is a way of Spirit, prayer, blessings, and God. Gift and understanding (if ever) are not immediate. Often it is going through the motions, doubting—feeling silly, but still living faith—then out of nowhere, all in a moment: Gift.
The candle still burns. It is nearly gone, and in the gold light of rising sun, I reflect in presence of the Spirit.