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.
April 22, 2025, John 20:11-18 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042225.cfm Ask the Question. Anyone who golfs knows the frustration of repeatedly hitting a bad shot. So, I asked one
,April 21, 2025, Matthew 28:8-15 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042125.cfm Matthew reports that the Angel told the women that Jesus had risen from the dead and told them to
April 20, 2025, John 20:1-9 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042025.cfm Who Will Fill My Emptiness? Peace be with you, my friends, and to all you love and cherish. Welcome
April 19, 2025, Luke 24:1-12 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041925.cfm I know You Are Seeking Jesus? As we walk to the tomb with Mary Magdalene and the other Mary,
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
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
April 22, 2025, John 20:11-18 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042225.cfm Ask the Question. Anyone who golfs knows the frustration of repeatedly hitting a bad shot. So, I asked one
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Monday in the Octave of Easter
,April 21, 2025, Matthew 28:8-15 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042125.cfm Matthew reports that the Angel told the women that Jesus had risen from the dead and told them to
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Easter
April 20, 2025, John 20:1-9 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042025.cfm Who Will Fill My Emptiness? Peace be with you, my friends, and to all you love and cherish. Welcome
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Holy Saturday
April 19, 2025, Luke 24:1-12 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041925.cfm I know You Are Seeking Jesus? As we walk to the tomb with Mary Magdalene and the other Mary,
Categories
Send Us A Message