Daily Pastoral #23

Autumn has begun. My favorite season. The equinox was yesterday, so there is now no shame in partaking in all the shameful fall rituals. PSL’s. Sweaters. Cider donuts. Frolicking around apple orchards in LL Bean duck boots. I’ve pulled out all the stops, and I’m not slowing down until spring.

Above all of these, there is one act of autumnal rebellion that I want to condone fully (the Catholic in me finds such delight in this)... 

The gratuitous and flagrant lighting of candles in your home.

Yes, candles can be pricey. Especially the hipster ones you might find at your neighborhood craft beer and coffee establishment. We’re talking upwards of $30 for a little fart of a candle. 

You might have one or three in your home. And maybe you’ve been hesitant to light it because, in dollars and cents, you’re looking at real money every time you light one. 

It don’t matter.
Light that bad boy up. 

It’s fall. Winter is coming. And we’re all going to die someday.
Memento mori, baby. 

You have waaaaay worse and more expensive habits than this, and none of them hold a candle (pun absolutely intended) to this one. This is your new spiritual practice.

Light those candles whenever you want. You don’t need a reason. Here’s your reason: YOU’RE ALIVE. 

When they melt all the way down, buy more and light them. 

Get cheap candles. Wal-Mart sells ones with Mary and the saints on them. Those are the best. I know your friends will try to tell you you’re ruining the planet by lighting those. Well, I give you permission to ignore them and...

Light them all.
All the time.
Whenever. 

See it as your small but mighty act of defiance against the darkness. They might be lessening their carbon footprint 0.00000000564% by only lighting their hipster beeswax candles when they have a vegan bbq. But you... You are making the whole world a brighter and more sacred place. 

Light the candles. Shake your fist at the darkness. And enjoy the hell out of this autumn season.