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
April 29, 2026, John 12:44-50 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042926.cfm The Light Changes Everything The world is full of darkness. Just turn on the news, and we see the
April 28, 2026, John 10:22-30 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042826.cfm Sharing My Heart with Jesus. Who are your closest friends? We exchange ideas with acquaintances, but our best friends
April 27, 2026, John 10:11-18 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042726.cfm What is Most Important! The Lord, in His Providence, has entrusted us with someone to care for and nurture.
March 15, 2026, John 4:1-41 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031526.cfm Out of Sight, Out of Touch I was with my sister Bev while she was working on crossword puzzles.
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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