Lumen Christi = Light of Christ
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
Paschal candle
This Paschal candle is one of the most sacred and enduring elements in Christianity. Made of beeswax to represent the purity of Christ, the candle’s wick signifies Christ’s humanity, and the flame His Divine Nature. The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet - Alpha and Omega – signify that Christ is the beginning and the end.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:13)
Cross
The ‘Light of Christ’ represented in the Paschal Candle flows outwards to form the cross. The shape of the cross has been taken from the crucifix seen in the photo to the right from Bishop Mascord’s Episcopal Ordination.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:19-20)
Mountains and Ocean
Wollongong is known for its beauty of God’s creation where the mountains meet the sea. Mountains draw our attention upward to the sky. In Sacred Scripture, mountains are places where people enter the mystery of God and receive blessings to take down the mountain to the People of God. For example, Christ is Transfigured on the mountain in the presences of Peter, James and John. Christ’s identity as the Son is revealed, yet the disciples do not stay in this moment of glory but follow Christ down the mountain to walk the path of service to the Cross and Resurrection.
“Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves. There in their presences he was transfigured”
(Mark 9.2-3)
Water
The water represents the sea. However, it also represents the water of baptism and life, and when connected to the Paschal Candle, we recall the lighting of the candle and how it is plunged into the newly blessed Easter water as a symbol of the Resurrected Lord plunging himself into our human life and bringing us to life in Him.
