On Fire

So, this week, when the Gospel speaks of the bush that is on fire but is not burning, I can’t help but think back to a couple of weeks ago when the scripture from Jeremiah said, “He is like a barren bush in the desert” (Jeremiah 17:5-8).

The imagery of how a bush in the desert a few weeks ago was barren, but now is on fire causes me to reflect on my journey of lent so far. See, at the beginning of Lent, everyone is called to empty themselves, so in a sense becoming that barren bush, dry and withering, not producing any fruit. But through the daily acts of praying, giving alms and fasting, it has caused some friction within, perhaps even enough to catch on fire. And not the kind of fire that burns the bush to the ground, turning it to ash, rather the kind of fire that ignites a flame that burns consistently.

Imagine the fire is like the flame you turn on in a gas fireplace, where the energy that creates the flame comes from a direct source. The source of the fire in the bush AND within you is the Holy Spirit! With each prayer, act of giving and every sacrifice, you draw closer to the source of all that is good, thus igniting your faith and growing deeper in your relationship with God, others and yourself.

The fire in the bush told Moses to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt, what is the fire telling you today?