May 24, 2026: Fire

Fire

The first reading gives the image of the Holy Spirit coming to the disciples like fire. [Put a paper fire on my head] Now it really wasn’t fire, even if some artwork depicts this event with a flame above each of their heads. So, an image for us is a campfire. [Show a pile of wood] 

A campfire starts with a spark. Pentecost began with the spark of the Holy Spirit. The disciples were not yet blazing with courage—they were dry tinder waiting for God’s breath. [Invite Kids up] 

You can’t light a fire with soaking wet wood. Hearts get soggy by resentment, cynicism, gossip, too much cable news, too many Facebook arguments, and not enough gratitude. Hence, we struggle to catch fire. Pentecost invites us to dry out in the sunlight of grace. [Have kids put logs on fire] 

If you throw on all the big logs too soon, you smother the fire. You don’t start with giant logs; you start with kindling. The Holy Spirit often begins with little things: one prayer, one apology, one prayer, one invitation, act of kindness, one moment of courage. [Send kids back] 

Fire spreads from one burning stick to another. At Pentecost the apostles catch fire together. Christianity is contagious when believers are genuinely alive. So many people (especially first-time visitors) will tell me that that is amazing about our parish is the joy they see and feel here. Now obviously, not everyone feels that. I see lots of folks enter the church or even come up for communion and they have this grumpy look [I perch my lips and scowl my brow]. Come on, you are receiving Christ. Smile. Maybe the face you present when receiving communion is the face that will be stuck on your face in heaven.  

But a campfire needs attending to. If nobody tends the fire, it slowly dies. Pentecost is not a one-day experience. Your faith needs tending . . . read your bible, don’t miss a weekend of receiving Eucharist, do some spiritual reading, commit yourself to some kind of service, stay tuned up with reconciliation and . . . 

Community. Community matters. Isolated faith often fades; shared faith burns brighter. Pope Francis said, “The Church is not a museum of saints, but a field hospital for sinners.” 

You know that a fire is alive not because you stare at it constantly, but because you feel its warmth. As St. Paul said in the second reading, “There are many different kinds of spiritual gifts” Gifts like love, joy, courage patience and (here’s the big one) that Jeus mentioned in the gospel . . . peace. If you are not feeling peace at this time your life, maybe it’s time to check what kind of kindling you are surrounding yourself with. St. Paul VI “The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.” 

I think Pentecost is meant to be a bonfire. Not cold ashes. Not a few glowing coals hidden under fear. A bonfire.

A place where frozen hearts thaw out.

Where lost people find light.
Where lonely people discover community.

Where wounded people find warmth again.

We don’t have to be spectacular. St. Catherine of Siena said,  “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”