REFLECTION FROM THE LAMP

REFLECTION FROM THE LAMP

A journey's progress, can only be measured by reflecting upon its past. I speak to you of my own journey, reflecting back when I was drifting about with no compass, no direction, no lamp. Only after reaching for guidance at the spiritual mountain top, and looking down into the valley below, did I realize the smog of my past, the sins of a deceptive heart: a journey that was tarnished, with untruth, and injustice. For the briars that fell at my feet upon my path, were not from anyone else, but of my very own; and I reflect upon these things, of which I am not proud of; but they were there, and my heart hurts, because of those I hurt along the way. I was in a valley, bounded by my own heart of self: a journey to nowhere; a lamp unlit, no warmth, no fragrance. 

I am no longer the pilot of my own boat, nor walk the path without a guide; for this spiritual conversion, ignited the flame to the lamp, lighting the path, and illuminating the heart to change. 

It is but by way, of change of heart, which has reached a plateau of compassion, that consents love, into peacefulness. It is the glow and light of the spirit, probing the journey to move forward. This sensitivity builds upon the other, creating opportunities to touch a heart here and there. It is, expediting the thought: what you do today, will make a better tomorrow for someone, somewhere. One's own journey is incomplete unless accompanied by a reservoir of hearts and souls which have been enriched or touched; when you yourself have touched a heart in a special way, and made someone FEEL something, INSIDE, with words you said, or written, or by your actions, or of gifts. It is giving of one's self, a presence of your inner dwelling of interior love. It overflows with an overwhelming desire to intercede, to heal, and mend the brokenness of one's spirit. When love is molded from the Lord’s presence, its substance is “purity of the heart”: solace, gentle calmness, and fulfillment. This love when nourished in prayer and Eucharist, is the lamp that generates a continuous flame of compassion. It does not diminish in its giving, but creates a depth of fragrance that fuels the heart. This outpouring is the anointing of the Holy Spirit, glowing embers, reflections of the inner lamp. 

It is my inner lamp of heart which looks forward to embracing those upon my path. I am not fulfilled, unless I have made an impact of a spiritual nature to someone, and been able to have moved one's heart, emotionally, and reached inward to the depths of their spirit. It is gratifying to have made a difference to someone, in knowing that bringing to the Lord in prayer, someone’s anguish or desolation for intercession was heard; and that the power of prayer, is indeed powerful, and that miracles can, and do happen. 

In my later years, I have let compassion regiment my journey in doing these things which are most pleasing to the Lord, for that, is what He wanted all along. For whatever you do, or wherever you go, you should be able to say that you contributed. So I say onto you, when I leave this place, to be taken up, if I am allowed to do so, I will continue to pray and intercede for those whom I tried to help while I was here, but were not receptive; and for all the many people whom I prayed for every day, lifting them up to the Lord, for intercession and blessings. 

I believe, the possibility exists for all of us, to be an instrument for the Lord; and after hearing the call and lighting the lamp, the warmth of one’s lamp is the key, the indicator, and barometer for the work to be done. I do not consider myself special, or saintly, but the lamp of my heart flows with a fervor of compassion, and I have written of these things in this book for documentation. 

What other beautiful way is there, than to spend eternity, but in prayer, and thanksgiving, in praise of the Lord who hath redeemed me? For my heart is like a fragrant flower, reflecting its beauty, and warmth of aroma, from the lamp of the Lord. One does not send a letter without a stamp to reach its destination, nor have warmth and light, without first, lighting the lamp. So too, it is because of the stamp, the letter is delivered, and one's reflection of lamp, is the glow, of the soul to be taken up. It is the intensity of one's flame, endurance of the heart, which gives radiance to the embers within the lamp. In prayer, I have asked the Lord, “to ignite my heart and soul on fire, with His love, and presence.” This writing is an outpouring of that prayer, a reflection, of my inner lamp.

Robert J. Varrick
rjvarrick@gmail.com