The Candle of Peace

a young Russian woman,
shabbily dressed 
approaches the young minister
from North America

she presses some money
into his hand, murmurs
“please use this 
to further peace
in the world”

arriving home
he finds three roubles
in his pocket
his dilemma:
what can he buy
for this small amount?

in his Church
the next Sunday
he unwraps his purchase
a small white candle
in a blue glass

he lights the candle
tells his congregation
of the Russian woman’s 
plea for peace

“this small light
is a prayer for peace
let us start with 
one small candle,
share its light
with the world

let us share candles
with our visitors so that 
they too may
share this symbol of peace

that they may
take them back to 
their home churches
to light more candles

let us pray 
that the light
of peace
will shine brightly
all around the world

c2009