The people of California and, recently, Colorado are enduring the tragedy of fire. It grips my heart when I see people going back to their homes and finding nothing but ashes. I remember driving through Washington, Illinois, after a tornado. People were walking up to a slab, seeing if there was anything to salvage. Tears filled my eyes, and I had a lump in my throat.
Isn’t it interesting that John the Baptist said we will be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire? Why equate the Holy Spirit with fire? It is so destructive. Precisely, and that is the point. The word “purification” comes to mind.
Notice what the apostles saw on their heads at Pentecost: tongues of fire. The Holy Spirit “burned to ashes” how the disciples saw and related to Jesus and each other. He was no longer ‘a’ teacher, ‘a’ prophet, even God’s son. He became ‘their’ Teacher, ‘their’ Son of God and LORD.
Do you relate to Jesus in a personal way in prayer? Do you often think about Jesus being present in your family and the people you meet every day? What needs to be purified in your meaningful relationships? Take to heart the words of absolution in the Sacrament of Confession, “God the Father…has sent His Holy among us for the forgiveness of sin.” Go to Jesus in the Sacrament and let Him IGNITE THE FIRE in you.
Love Your Neighbor:
Please join me in praying for all baptized Catholics to be faithful to Jesus in the Holy Mass every weekend. Hail Mary, full of grace…
Mother Mary, “I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you, I always want to belong completely to Jesus.” The Surrender Novena – InHeartland. https://inheartland.com/pages/the-surrender-novena
September 14, 2025, John 3:13-17 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091425.cfm Don’t Be Afraid of the Sting In every Catholic Church and Chapel around the world, we celebrate today an
September 13, 2025, Luke 6:43-49 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091325.cfm Deep Roots I know a friend whose neighbor’s tree fell on her house during a tropical storm. It was
September 12, 2025, Luke 6:49-42 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091225.cfm Humility And Mercy “When fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.” This is the grace of God,
September 11, 2025, Luke 6:27-38 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091125.cfm Keeping Your Honor Cherishing our honor is essential, but losing sight of it can make us feel disconnected from
Baptism of the Lord January 8, 2024
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Baptism of the Lord
January 8, 2024, Matthew 3:13-17
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010923.cfm
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FIRE.
The people of California and, recently, Colorado are enduring the tragedy of fire. It grips my heart when I see people going back to their homes and finding nothing but ashes. I remember driving through Washington, Illinois, after a tornado. People were walking up to a slab, seeing if there was anything to salvage. Tears filled my eyes, and I had a lump in my throat.
Isn’t it interesting that John the Baptist said we will be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire? Why equate the Holy Spirit with fire? It is so destructive. Precisely, and that is the point. The word “purification” comes to mind.
Notice what the apostles saw on their heads at Pentecost: tongues of fire. The Holy Spirit “burned to ashes” how the disciples saw and related to Jesus and each other. He was no longer ‘a’ teacher, ‘a’ prophet, even God’s son. He became ‘their’ Teacher, ‘their’ Son of God and LORD.
Do you relate to Jesus in a personal way in prayer? Do you often think about Jesus being present in your family and the people you meet every day? What needs to be purified in your meaningful relationships? Take to heart the words of absolution in the Sacrament of Confession, “God the Father…has sent His Holy among us for the forgiveness of sin.” Go to Jesus in the Sacrament and let Him IGNITE THE FIRE in you.
Love Your Neighbor:
Please join me in praying for all baptized Catholics to be faithful to Jesus in the Holy Mass every weekend. Hail Mary, full of grace…
Mother Mary, “I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you, I always want to belong completely to Jesus.” The Surrender Novena – InHeartland. https://inheartland.com/pages/the-surrender-novena
Peace be with you.
Fr. Rick Pilger, I.C.
pastor
or .
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