It’s humbling when nature acts on us, as seen with recent hurricanes; some are still recovering. I recall driving through Washington, Illinois, after a tornado, seeing people assess damage. I felt tears and a lump in my throat.
The same feeling overcame me when people lost everything in hurricanes two years ago. We remember recent fires in our country. It grips my heart when I saw people returning to find nothing but ashes. The memory remains vivid.
Isn’t it interesting that John the Baptist said we’d be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire? Why relate the Holy Spirit to fire, which is so destructive? The point is that fire symbolizes purification, renewal, and hope for a better life.
Notice what the apostles saw on their heads at Pentecost: tongues of fire. This fire of the Holy Spirit “burned to ashes” how the disciples saw and related to Jesus and each other. It transformed their understanding, making their faith more personal and powerful. Jesus became their Teacher, Son of God, and LORD, inspiring us to seek that same relationship with Jesus and experience His renewing fire.
Gospel Challenge:
Do you relate to Jesus personally in prayer, and do you consider His presence in your family and daily encounters? Reflect on what in your relationships needs purification. Remember the words of absolution: “God the Father…has sent His Holy Spirit 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 that all baptized Catholics be faithful to Jesus at 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
February 16, 2026, Mark 8:11-13https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021626.cfm You Can’t Rush A Good Steak Sometimes, I walk into the house and find someone cooking, and suddenly, I feel
February 14, 2026, Mark 8:1-10 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021426.cfm From Nothing to Abundance A friend of mine introduced me to the Consecration to St. Joseph. I completed the
February 13, 2026, Mark 7: 31-37 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021326.cfm His Real Presence? Distractions are everywhere these days. It’s worth considering how much intentional time we setaside to
February 12, 2026, Mark 7: 24-30 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021226.cfm Incognito? It is refreshing to go on vacation to a place where no one knows you; we call
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for the Baptism of the Lord
January 11, 2026, Matthew 3:13-17
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011126.cfm
The Holy Spirit And Fire.
It’s humbling when nature acts on us, as seen with recent hurricanes; some are still recovering. I recall driving through Washington, Illinois, after a tornado, seeing people assess damage. I felt tears and a lump in my throat.
The same feeling overcame me when people lost everything in hurricanes two years ago. We remember recent fires in our country. It grips my heart when I saw people returning to find nothing but ashes. The memory remains vivid.
Isn’t it interesting that John the Baptist said we’d be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire? Why relate the Holy Spirit to fire, which is so destructive? The point is that fire symbolizes purification, renewal, and hope for a better life.
Notice what the apostles saw on their heads at Pentecost: tongues of fire. This fire of the Holy Spirit “burned to ashes” how the disciples saw and related to Jesus and each other. It transformed their understanding, making their faith more personal and powerful. Jesus became their Teacher, Son of God, and LORD, inspiring us to seek that same relationship with Jesus and experience His renewing fire.
Gospel Challenge:
Do you relate to Jesus personally in prayer, and do you consider His presence in your family and daily encounters? Reflect on what in your relationships needs purification. Remember the words of absolution: “God the Father…has sent His Holy Spirit 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 that all baptized Catholics be faithful to Jesus at 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@bscchurch.com
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