Fire

Jesus said “I came to bring fire to the earth and how I wish it were already kindled” (Luke 12:49).

             One summer holiday, when I was a boy, our family drove through a region of northern New Brunswick which two weeks earlier had been the site of a forest fire. All you could see for miles around was the black of burnt trees and grass. But in a few places, there were green shoots of new plants beginning to come through the soil. The experience reminded me of how fire can be an agent of change on the earth.

            In this passage from Luke, Jesus uses fire as an image of the effect his presence can have on the people who hear it. By doing so, he warns old beliefs and relationships may be lost so that new ones can come into existence.

            Writers in the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament associated fire with the Divine presence. God appeared as a smoking pot and torch when Abraham offered his sacrifice at the ratification of the Covenant. The Divine presence took the form of a burning bush when Moses encountered God on the mountain and learned about his Mission to the enslaved Hebrews. In the desert, God led the Israelites as a pillar of fire in the night. When Moses went up the mountain and received the Ten Commandments, the people perceived God as a devouring fire. Ezekiel witnessed God as a great cloud with flashing fire, while in the midst of the creatures of his vision, were burning coals of fire. Daniel, in his vision, observed a stream of flames which came from the Son of Man. On each occasion God’s presence, signified by the image of fire, foretold a change which ended an old set of ideas and relationships and enabled the creation of new ones. Jesus expanded on this Tradition when he described the impact of his Gospel on the lives of those who heard it. As a fire purified metal, so his message burned off imperfections in how people comprehended the Jewish Law. His teachings challenged existing social and religious norms. Acceptance of his new ideas required the death of old ones. However, many individuals rejected Christ’s message because of its radical nature. This meant the possible end of close relationships, even those within families. Jesus understood the full consequences of discipleship. Tensions between those who rejected and accepted his Gospel were inevitable. Yet, as with a forest fire, the new life which came after the destruction of the old created a more vibrant world.

            Christ’s Teaching about the nature of his presence on earth confronts some Modern ideas about Christianity. Many individuals see Jesus as a social reformer who preached tolerance, love and peace. While he taught these ideals, he also placed them within a set of religious principles. Christ forgave sinful behavior but never tolerated it. He indicated love was not a sentiment but to will the good of another. The peace he offered would ultimately be found in the next world not in this one. These principles are inseparable from his ideals, despite the fact many people, including some Christians, would like to believe it is possible to detach them. Jesus taught he was the way, truth and life not a way, truth and life. His Teachings are like a fire which seeks to destroy sinful activities and purify human behavior. They challenge the Relativistic thinking which is common within our Society which doesn’t like ideas which lead to conflict. Christ’s Disciples understand such conflict is inevitable and healthy because it leads individuals to the truth. The fiery nature of Christ’s Teachings destroys the obstacles which inhibit growing closer to God and allows the shoots of a new understanding of life and how it should be lived to appear in the world.

            Among the ways Catholics can help Christ’s presence on earth to grow is to develop the ability to have a good Religious argument. People are ready to argue about anything today. They will express their opinions about politics, sports or movies and how such areas impact their daily lives. However, when it comes to Religion, they are silent. Why? A respectable argument about Religion, like that on any other subject, involves expressing your beliefs about something which is important to you and listening to another person’s view. As the conversation develops, you go deeper into the matter and learn from each other. Mutual respect is important. The purpose of the argument is so you better understand the other person and vice versa. If you convince the other person to agree with you; fine. If not, agree to disagree and stay friends. Jesus used this attitude; so should we. Let how we argue about Religion allow the fire of his presence to remain on earth.

            Fire can be a potent agent of change in our world. Faith in Christ can have a similar effect if we harness properly its potential.

August 14, 2022