are you burning up?
"What must we do to perform the works of God?" —John 6:28
As a witness for the risen Christ, are you more fired up for Jesus as the Easter season progresses? Or is your fire out? Are you burnt out? Worse yet, have you never been on fire for Jesus?
A piece of paper can be set afire by focusing the sun's rays on it for an extended time through a magnifying glass. We can be set afire by exposing ourselves for an extended time to God's grace magnified through Bible study (see Lk 24:32), the sacraments, community life (see Acts 2:42), persecution, death, miracles, etc. For example, imagine praying after one of your brothers in Christ has been arrested and martyred (see Acts 6:12ff). Wouldn't prayer under these circumstances set us on fire? Imagine going to Mass after your wife was miraculously healed of terminal cancer. You would probably catch fire when you went to Communion, if you weren't already ablaze. What if you went to Mass daily, read and prayed the Scripture daily, and shared your faith openly day after day! Through this extensive exposure to the Lord's light, you may experience your own spiritual form of "spontaneous combustion."
Our God is a consuming Fire (Heb 12:29). Jesus exclaims: "I have come to light a file on the earth. How I wish the blaze were ignited!" (Lk 12:49) His children, disciples, and witnesses are to be on fire. May you burn up in the Son.
Prayer: Father, in this Easter season may a spiritual forest fire rage.
Promise: "You should not be working for perishable food but for food that remains unto life eternal, food which the Son of Man will give you." —Jn 6:27
Praise: Sarah prays: "Enkindle in us the fire of Your love." Her prayer is being answered.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Developing A Deep Personal Relationship with Jesus on audio AV 52-1 or video V-52.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Giles H. Pater, October 17, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 21, 2002