Every once in awhile I remind people to “participate, don’t anticipate.” These words hold true in these days of Easter. Already people are planning for Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and beyond. Just hold on, participate, don’t anticipate.

In other words, we are deep in the celebration of the Paschal Mysteries; we are celebrating Easter – the Resurrection of our Lord! I realize that the material world had Easter decorations available since Valentine’s Day, and now, most of those decorations are stored. But, for us, we need to be intentional about what we are celebrating as Christians, AND, celebrate it!

So, in an effort to explain just a little more about some of the little details of Easter, I invite you to walk back with me to the very beginning of Easter.

A fire is lit, and from it, the Easter candle is blessed and lit. That candle, representing the light of Christ, is processed into a dark church to begin the solemn observance of Easter. The blessing of the Paschal candle can often be done in haste and can often quickly slip by us. However, the symbolism of the marks on the Paschal candle represent deep meaning. So, as you go back to the Vigil with me, here is what the marks on the Paschal candle mean.

These words are taken from the Sacramentary, or Roman Missal, which is used for the celebration of our Catholic liturgies. The Priest traces the Greek letter Alpha above the cross, the letter Omega below, and the numerals of the current year between the arms of the cross. While doing this he says: Christ yesterday and today; the Beginning and the End; the Alpha; and the Omega. All time belongs to him; and all the ages. To Him be glory and power; through every age and for ever. Amen.

When the cross and other marks have been made, the Priest inserts five grains of incense into the candle. He does this in the form of a cross saying: By His holy and glorious wounds, may Christ the Lord guard us and protect us. Amen.

The Priest lights the paschal candle from the new fire, saying: May the light of Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

I’d encourage you, at some time in the future, to reflect upon the rich meaning of these words. Additionally, I’d encourage you to take a close look at the paschal candle in our church, and maybe in every church you visit. The paschal candle is prominently displayed near the ambo, where God’s Word is proclaimed, throughout the Easter season, then it’s placed near the baptismal font. The candle is burned throughout the Easter season and then is lit for baptisms and funerals.

In summary, referring back to the prayers of Easter Vigil when the candle is blessed, the paschal candle is yet another representation of Christ in our churches. While we pray in the presence of the paschal candle, we continue to worship our God who “rose in glory to dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.”

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