The people of California and Colorado endured the tragedy of fire last year. Seeing people returning home and finding nothing but ashes grips my heart. 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 would 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 daily? 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.
October 27, 2025, Luke 13:10-17 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102725.cfm The Law is not an end but a beginning. How often does a driver pull up to a stop
October 26, 2025, Luke 18:9-14 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102625.cfm Are You Really Better or Worse Than Anyone Else? Comparing ourselves to others is a two-sided coin. On the
October 25, 2025, Luke 13:1-9 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102525.cfm Is this useless or useful? For whom? The word “useless” in the Gospel stands out to me today. When
October 24, 2025, Luke 12:54-59 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102425.cfm Interpret the Times Jesus says in the gospel that we know how to interpret the weather, but we don’t
Monday Baptism of the Lord– 01-09-2023
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Monday Baptism of the Lord– 01-09-2023
Baptism of the Lord 1st Week in Ordinary Time
Matthew 3:13-17 – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010923.cfm
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FIRE.
The people of California and Colorado endured the tragedy of fire last year. Seeing people returning home and finding nothing but ashes grips my heart. 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 would 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 daily? 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
or .
Share:
More Posts
Fr. Rick’s Gospel Reflection for Monday, 30th Week in Ordinary Time
October 27, 2025, Luke 13:10-17 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102725.cfm The Law is not an end but a beginning. How often does a driver pull up to a stop
Fr. Rick’s Gospel Reflection for the 30th Sunday of the Year C
October 26, 2025, Luke 18:9-14 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102625.cfm Are You Really Better or Worse Than Anyone Else? Comparing ourselves to others is a two-sided coin. On the
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Reflection for Saturday
October 25, 2025, Luke 13:1-9 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102525.cfm Is this useless or useful? For whom? The word “useless” in the Gospel stands out to me today. When
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Friday, 29th Week in Ordinary Time
October 24, 2025, Luke 12:54-59 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102425.cfm Interpret the Times Jesus says in the gospel that we know how to interpret the weather, but we don’t
Categories
Send Us A Message