In the Bible, fire is often used to describe God’s burning love for humanity. The fire Jesus has come to bring is the fire of love, the fire of hope, the fire of faith, and the fire of justice. He is not bringing the fire of violence! Jesus’ words are much bolder and more powerful than violence, they are the fire of the Kingdom of God breaking into our world.
In the early Church fire was a symbol for the unleashed power and promise of the Gospel of Jesus. Saint Basil the Great said fire reveals the malice of sin and the excellence of good works done for the glory of God and his Christ.
Still others said that fire represents the person of the Holy Spirit, who descended upon Mary and the Apostles gathered in prayer on Pentecost Sunday in the form of fiery tongues. This fire would unite the Church, but it would also divide.
Strong Faith will ignite in us the fire of the Holy Spirit! John Paul II is one example of the power and promise of the fire of the Gospel in our world. Forty-three years ago, this week, John Paul II was elected to the See of Peter to the surprise of the entire world.
The first words he spoke were: "Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid to open wide the door to Christ." In the first week of his pontificate he proclaimed, "the Rosary is my favorite prayer." He used it as a mighty weapon, a spiritual sword, if you will.
General Jaruszelski, the head of state during martial law in Poland, confessed later that in 1979, his knees were shaking when John Paul addressed the crowd of over a million people in the heart of Warsaw. Reminding them of the treasure of their Catholic faith, he was interrupted repeatedly by the booming chant, "We choose God! We want God!"
This was the beginning of the end for the Soviet Union. Solidarity was given new life leading to the fall of the Berlin wall, the lifting of the iron curtain, the liberation of several hundred million people in Russia, Poland, the Baltic Republics, Ukraine, Hungary, Romania, Yugoslavia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Armenia, and more.
Stalin once asked the question, "How many divisions does the Pope have?" This was to illustrate the lack of power of the Pope.
He had no inkling that spiritual power, and the family united, far surpassed the power of atheistic Communism.
- Father Willy's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page.(You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
- To view Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EST, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
