In Christian art, rabbits were used as symbols of purity as well as cautionary tales. Rabbits when in danger will run into rocky areas for safety, but when they leave it their short front legs make it easier for predators to catch them. St Basil used the rabbit analogy as a warning to Christians, seek salvation in the rock of Christ, do not descend back down the mountain to seek things of the world, or else the wolves of temptation and the evil one will envelop you.

In modern literature and movies, the white rabbit was a symbol of the spark that led her to seek the truth. She was in danger of conforming to the world, becoming like everyone else around her, when the white rabbit appeared. Only in following it did she see reality as it truly is, the symbolic reality and not the material one presented to us as the sole resting place for human existence and understanding. The first Matrix film also used the image of the white rabbit for the protagonist Neo to follow. His journey of the discovery of truth was also a symbolic one, not of the material. His entire life, the one he took for granted as the sole reality, was nothing but a facade to cover up the actual war that was being fought. He followed the white rabbit, he answered the call, he discovered the truth.

We also have our white rabbit to follow. God is continually sending us his grace, his spark of curiosity hoping that it will light a flame of faith that continues to grow. Often we ignore the rabbit for various reasons. We may have other things weighing on our minds or as in my case it was easier to ignore God's call because to do so would cast a light on my sinful nature.

The church itself has a symbolic white rabbit leading us to the literal risen Christ, God. In every Catholic & Orthodox church, you will see a red oil lamp or candle. This lamp is never allowed to burn out (it is blown out on Good Friday and relit on Easter). It shows us the location of the tabernacle, the place where the ACTUAL body of Christ is present. It is why we genuflect when we enter and leave a church because we are kneeling before the ACTUAL physical presence of Christ.

The Red Candle is calling us to come to find him, to come to be in his presence. Unlike many aspects of the church and faith, this is not a symbolic presentation, but a material one. God is MATERIALLY WITH US IN THE EUCHARIST AND HE IS RIGHT THERE.

If you can find an adoration chapel near you, or times for eucharistic benediction that is a blessing and you should seek it out. If not follow the red candle, kneel before his presence in the pew and pour yourself out and let him refill you with his divine presence, grace, and love.

Follow the Red Candle