Four Candles

There is a story about four candles, all of which were found burning steadily away.

The first candle was the Candle of Peace. Sadly though, people were so anxious about what was going on in their lives that the Candle of Peace blew out.

The second candle was the Candle of Love. That candle burned brightly in the times people felt loved, but then as often happens, life changed and in the grip of loneliness and fear, that candle too was extinguished.

The third candle was the Candle of Joy. This candle burned strongly at first but without peace and love, it could do nothing but eventually wane and fizzle out leaving a melancholy trail of smoke drifting in the air. So that left only the last solitary candle, which was the Candle of Hope.

As it gazed at the other extinguished candles, it realised what its purpose in life was and what it had been kindled to do. That was to use itself to relight the other candles.

You see with hope in the world, there could once again be Peace, Love and Joy. That is the message of Easter, that Christ, who is our hope, gave of himself on the cross to bring Peace, Love and Joy to each one of us.

Every day here at the Crypt we encounter those, who through no fault of their own, are anxious, lonely and deeply unhappy. What we try and offer and what Christ brings, is that small flame of hope, and through that hope, new life is kindled.

So thank you for everything you do to support our work of HOPE. HOPE that is Help and Opportunity, Practical and Eternal.

*Chaplin's Corner Easter 2024