Be on Fire

08-07-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

I come to set the earth on fire. Fire symbolizes many things: First, there are destructive fires that bring a lot of damage to property, homes, buildings, and other structures. There are forest fires that can burn hundreds of thousands of acres and cause damage to livestock; and wildlife. We remember the 19 Arizona Granite Hot Shot who lost their lives in the Yarnell fire of 2013. Second, the benefits of fire for cooking food for the hungry, providing heat for those in the cold, purifying waters, and giving light to homes where there is no electricity. Lastly, fire ignites combustion engines that help transport people and material goods. All these are examples of the literal sense where the fire is applicable, but the Lord speaks of fire symbolically.

In the context that Jesus uses them, fires symbolize passion and love in their highest form. We use words such as: In the heat of passion and the burning fire of love to describe the feeling of intense love. To understand what Jesus meant in the Gospel, let us examine how the Semitic culture uses it in their dialogue. In Sacred Scrip-ture, (Dt. 4:24) The Lord our God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. In Ex.3:2, Yahweh appears to Moses in a burning bush. And Ex. 3:21, a pillar of fire blocks the path of the Egyptians against the Israelites, a symbol of God’s presence and protection. The last symbolic meaning for fire in the Scriptures is cleansing, purification, and transformation to a perfect state.

In the New Testament, the prophet Malachi predicted that the Messiah-King would be like a refiner’s-fire purifying the sons of the Levite priesthood. Then, at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles like tongues of fire, allowing them to speak or understand different languages. From that time on, they were transformed into courageous witnesses, proclaiming the Gospel of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, even willing to die for it. Continuing the mission Jesus received from the Father went into high gear after the disciples received the fire of the Holy Spirit. Transforming them into a new creation, cleansed and purified to be children sharing divine sonship. The last image fulfills the prophecy of John the Baptist: Someone greater than me is coming; He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.

In the Gospel, the Lord invites us to decide and change the course of our life toward His kingdom. The decision urges us to go beyond the status quo, and take the path of solid commitment. Jesus wants us to be out of our comfort zones and be on fire. If today you hear His voice harden not your hearts. The fire of the Holy Spirit should purify and transform us to become better Christians. We ask ourselves: How is my faith, and how deep is my commitment to my God? God will sometimes break the strongest bone in your life when you think you are strong - so that from then on, you will say that the strongest part of you is God, not your career, not your family, not your friends, not your special someone, not who you are, but God.

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