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 that 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 present in your family and 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.
December 4, 2025, Matthew 7:21, 24-27 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120425.cfm Never Satisfied. That is Tom Brady, who was the quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He acknowledged the
December 3, 2025, Matthew 15:29-37 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120325.cfm NEVER HUNGER. HOW IS THAT? A few years ago, a local restaurant donated turkeys for our parishioners to feed people
December 2, 2025, Luke 10:21-24 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120225.cfm INTIMACY LEADS TO TRUST! Throughout His life, Jesus had one human person with whom He shared a very similar
November 30, 2025, Matthew 24:37-44 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/113025.cfm Let your light shine! Have you ever walked away from your car and wondered if you locked it? Did you
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Baptism of the Lord– 01-09-2022
Baptism of the Lord
Luke 3:15-16; 21-22 – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010922.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 that 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 present in your family and 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.
IGNITE THE FIRE Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
Share:
More Posts
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Thursday, 1st Week in Advent
December 4, 2025, Matthew 7:21, 24-27 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120425.cfm Never Satisfied. That is Tom Brady, who was the quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He acknowledged the
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Wednesday, 1st Week in Advent
December 3, 2025, Matthew 15:29-37 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120325.cfm NEVER HUNGER. HOW IS THAT? A few years ago, a local restaurant donated turkeys for our parishioners to feed people
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Tuesday, 1st Week of Advent
December 2, 2025, Luke 10:21-24 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120225.cfm INTIMACY LEADS TO TRUST! Throughout His life, Jesus had one human person with whom He shared a very similar
Father Rick’s Gospel Reflection for 1st Sunday in Advent, Cycle A
November 30, 2025, Matthew 24:37-44 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/113025.cfm Let your light shine! Have you ever walked away from your car and wondered if you locked it? Did you
Categories
Send Us A Message