Exodus 27 - "The Light of Men"

"That a lamp may burn always,
In the tabernacle of the testimony, without the veil that hangs before the testimony." (Exodus 27:20-21)

Here is yet another parallel between the appurtenances of the Old Covenant's altar and that of the New. In the previous chapter Moses speaks of the tabernacle and the veil and the Holy of Holies, all things found still on today's altars. And now it is revealed that a lamp of eternal light must always remain lit to signify the Divine Presence of our Lord. And so it is today, on every altar around the world, a sanctuary lamp (colored red) hangs eternally lit to make known the Divine Presence in the Eucharist. And of course light itself plays a significant role in the Word. Paul tells us to "cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light" (Romans 13:12). St. John, in his beautiful opening to his Gospel, speaks of Jesus as "the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it," (John 1:4-5) and that He "was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world" (John 1:9).