This coming Thursday is the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord, and parishes around the world have a vital decision to make: Do we extinguish the Paschal Candle on Ascension Day or on Pentecost?
This question may sound like a liturgist’s version of the game, Trivial Pursuit, but there is an important biblical and theological lesson to be learned….
I think the Paschal Candle needs to keep burning year round. All we need to do is put some curtains in front of the candle to represent the clouds hiding Him from our mindful view. Him being out of our eyesight does not mean He has ceased to be. Acts 1:11 “Why are you gazing up into heaven? The same way you saw Him become God in your mind is the same way he will make Himself known to you.” Revelational reality so His followers will know that they are never alone. He is with us, but now we know through the power of His Holy Spirit that He is God.
Excellent writing by Dean Munday as always. In our parish it is our tradition to extinguish the Paschal Candle after the Gospel reading for the reasons Fr. Munday mentions. But his writing adds new depth to our appreciation of this sacred tradition.