Fire-Bending: Set the World Ablaze with Your Inner Flame

Hardcore Zuko

A few weeks ago, the readings at mass were very interesting. They focused on fire. This was an interesting theme, so I decided to write about this "hot topic," (I apologize for my pun....WAIT...no I don't ;D)

The first reading was from the prophet Jeremiah. He was in a position that many prophets found themselves in. He was being persecuted by the authorities. Jeremiah was being led by God to tell people about Him. When he was told to cease his ministry, he said:

"But if I say 'I will not mention His word or speak anymore His name," His word is in my heart like a fire. A fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in. I cannot." Jeremiah 20:9

A fire within him and it exhausts him to REPRESS it. Jeremiah was being persecuted by the princes that were offended by his preaching. However, he explains to the people that God's word is like a fire within him, and it is tiring to try to hide the flame. is flame was so strong that he could not contain it. His solution? Let it set the world on fire.

It would have been easy for Jeremiah to stop preaching. He was a young prophet, so almost his entire life was ahead of him. Being put to death would have been a big deal for someone like Jeremiah. However, Jeremiah's love for God overcame his fear of death. This is something we could all learn from. Jeremiah fanned the flame in his soul until it burned hotter than he could handle, so he shared it with the world.

In the Gospel reading that day, Christ was talking to his apostles about why he came into the world. He is upset that the fire for God has not already consumed the Earth.

“I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” Luke 12:49

Christ came to set the world ON FIRE. He started the flame, but it's our job to keep it going! Why haven't we consumed the world? Christ is the best thing that has ever happened to humanity! Why aren't we yelling, screaming, and jumping for joy? Why aren't we dancing in the middle of the streets?!

“Wearing a linen ephod [A royal robe to be worn under cloak. Basically, underwear.] David was dancing before the Lord with all his might while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.” 2 Samuel 6:14-15

“What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight. What is whispered in your ear, shout from the rooftops!” Matthew 10:27

Wimpy Zuko

We have a problem. We were each born with a special burning to find God, but like any fire, it needs to be fed. The result of us not feeding our flames? Weak fire-bending. I don't know how many of you watch Avatar, so for those of you who don't know, this particular Fire-bender is Prince Zuko. He learns in the third season of Avatar how to truly master his flame. Before he learns to master true fire bending. This is what he looks like: a wimp.

When was the last time you praised God shamelessly like no one was watching? When was the last time you shouted about Christ from a the top of a building? You probably haven't recently, but if you have, terrific! We need more people to do things like this! We need more zealots for the faith. God saved you! Share that!

What's stopping us from proclaiming God's word boldly? Doubt? Fear? Embarrassment? Whatever your excuse is, kill it. Stab it, and get rid of it. You don't need excuses. There's no reason why you shouldn't stand up and proclaim God's word. That's the first step is to stand up. Once you're standing, you have to go somewhere. Don't sit down until you get there. Stand up, sing about Him, write about Him, speak about Him, tweet about Him! Set the world on Fire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There aren't enough exclamation points in the world.

A lot of the time, we feel socially awkward when proclaiming our faith. I'll be honest, the real world is the hardest place to be a Christian. Unfortunately, because we all live in the real world, we have to try hard to be Christian. (I know, not fair.) Sometimes, following Christ is like joining the Mathletes. (That's a Mean Girls reference. Nothing against the Mathletes) St. Francis reminds us to preach the gospel at ALL TIMES. No asterisks, no “buts”, no what-ifs, no footnotes. ALL TIMES. The phrase isn't “Preach the gospel at all times, unless someone would get offended or uncomfortable.” We have to step outside our comfort zone in order to get anything done. Sometimes it feels like you can't handle the heat, but we're trying to set the world on fire, so a little heat ends up being a good thing.

Fire consumes all it touches, and as it consumes, it gets greater and greater. This is usually why we regard fire as bad, however, if we kindle a righteous, holy fire, the earth will be "set ablaze" the way Christ intended. Fan your flame every day. Mass, adoration, fasting, and prayer can help a lot to make your fire grow. I pray that your fire grows so much that it pains you to keep it contained. That way, you have to let it out!

My challenge for you is to stand up every day. Whenever you feel that desire to do something for Christ, don't wait for the weekend or your next free moment. Do it immediately. Good things will come from this!


God Bless!
-Patrick



Deuteronomy 31:6