During a recent homily I heard, the priest noted that St. Paul was on fire for the Lord. Normally, these words would drift over my complacent self, but this time, the Holy Spirit dropped a bucket of water on my head. I realized that my candle is a mere flicker that comes and goes at will, and with one strong wind – poof, it might be extinguished. But St. Paul, who was in prison and shackled by his horrendous conditions, had such zeal that his fire blazed strong, lighting others’ matches and sending them out to preach the Gospel.
Paul had the love of Jesus in his heart. He endured with trusting, persevering patience because he loved Jesus. He endured with hope, all because he loved Christians. His candle turned the world upside down, despite his chains. Now that’s being on fire!
In Colossians 4:14, we read that Paul is praising his co-workers who steadfastly worked beside him for the cause of Christ: “Luke the beloved physician sends greetings, as does Demas.” In Philemon 1: 23-24, Paul mentions Demas again: “Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as well as Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.” Several years pass, and although Paul is still in prison, he has this to say about Demas in 2 Timothy 4:9-10: “Try to join me soon, for Demas, enamored of the present world, deserted me and went to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.”
Christians were held in bondage by the world in the first century A.D., and we still are in bondage today. The world has us chained to money, prestige, careers, success, status symbols, glamor, gadgets, and miscellaneous sinful pleasures. Our lives revolve around us, not God. We dabble in our faith because we are too caught up in the things of this passing world. The only thing burning in our lives is the Sunday afternoon barbecue or the burned toast on Monday morning!
The priest’s words got me thinking: How do I – we – get on fire for the Lord?
As with any relationship, we must keep the spark alive.
We have a relationship with our Savior, Jesus. We have a relationship with a loving God, our Father. We have a relationship with the Holy Spirit, who imparts every good gift. We have a relationship with the Blessed Mother. We have a relationship with the saints who have gone on before us – our “cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1-2). God’s hand is always there for us, but we tend to let go of Him, trying to grasp on to the world, just like the prodigal son did in Luke 15:11-32. He ended up destitute, craving the slop being fed to the swine.
Here are some “matchsticks” to help rekindle your faith:
- Talk to your pastor, and go to confession. Reconciliation is the best way to renew your relationship with God.
- Make a spiritual investment in yourself – read your Bible. If your parish has a literature rack, browse the titles. There are countless Catholic faith-building resources and media out there for you to enjoy. Store up knowledge and treasure in heaven (see Luke 12:16-21).
- Take a leap of faith and get more involved with your parish, to put to use the gifts and talents that God has given you.
- Go on a retreat or a pilgrimage. Spiritual happiness is peace with God.
Finally, remember what the Bible says in Psalms 103:15-17: “As for man, his days are like the grass; he blossoms like a flower in the field. A wind sweeps over it and it is gone, its place knows it no more. But the Lord’s mercy is from age to age, toward those who fear Him.”
Bobby Speers is an author who lives in Hickory. Her writing can be found online at www.writecatholic.com.