8-18-19 20th Sunday:  “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!

Jesus said to his disciples:  “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!  There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

696   Fire. While water signifies birth and the fruitfulness of life given in the Holy Spirit, fire symbolizes the transforming energy of the Holy Spirit’s actions. The prayer of the prophet Elijah, who “arose like fire” and whose “word burned like a torch,” brought down fire from heaven on the sacrifice on Mount Carmel. This event was a “figure” of the fire of the Holy Spirit, who transforms what he touches. John the Baptist, who goes “before [the Lord] in the spirit and power of Elijah,” proclaims Christ as the one who “will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Jesus will say of the Spirit: “I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled!” In the form of tongues “as of fire,” the Holy Spirit rests on the disciples on the morning of Pentecost and fills them with himself. The spiritual tradition has retained this symbolism of fire as one of the most expressive images of the Holy Spirit’s actions. “Do not quench the Spirit.”

From “The Holy Mass” Testimony of Catalina Rivas (101 – 102)

101) The hour that we live does not allow us to side with the indifferent. We must be an extension of the hands of our priests and go where they cannot reach. But in order to afford ourselves the courage to do it, we must receive Jesus, live with Jesus and nourish ourselves with Jesus. 

102) We are afraid to commit a little further.  And yet, when the Lord says, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and the rest will be added onto you,” it is about the whole thing, brothers and sisters. It means to seek the Kingdom of God in all possible ways and through all available means, and…to open our hands in order to receive EVERYTHING additionally! This is because He is the Boss, Who pays the best; the only One Who is attentive to the least of your needs!

Each week we will be presenting a portion of the following Sunday’s readings, and linking it to relevant parts of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and messages from the Testimony of Catalina.  Pay special attention to the italicized underlined sections. This Sunday it is asked, What kind of soil will you be for the word of God? We hope this is inspiring and educational. Any comments you have are certainly welcomed.