In the Hebrew Scripture fire symbolizes the word of God pronounced by the prophet. But it also signifies the divine judgment that purifies his people by passing in their midst.

We can say the same about the word of Jesus: it builds up, but at the same time it destroys everything that has no consistency, everything that needs to come down, everything that is vanity, and it leaves only the truth standing.

John the Baptist had said of him: “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Lk 3:16), preannouncing the Christian baptism inaugurated on the day of Pentecost with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the appearance of the tongues of fire (See Acts 2:3).

This then is Jesus’ mission: to cast fire on earth, to bring the Holy Spirit with his renewing and purifying force.

“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!”

Jesus gives us the Spirit. But how does the Holy Spirit act? He fills us with love and he wants us to keep this love burning in our hearts.

What kind of love is it? It’s not an earthly, limited kind of love. It’s the love of which the Gospel speaks. It’s a universal love, like that of the heavenly Father who makes the sun rise and the rain fall on the good and the bad, including enemies (See Mt 5:45).

It’s a love that doesn’t wait for others to take the first step, but that always takes the initiative by loving first.

It’s a love that makes itself one with everyone: suffering and rejoicing with them, sharing their worries and hopes. And when needed, it does so tangibly, with deeds. So it’s not simply a sentimental love expressed with words alone.

It’s a love directed to Christ in our neighbor, mindful of his words: “You did it for me” (Mt 25:40).

It’s a love that leads to reciprocity, to loving one another.

Because this love is a visible, concrete expression of our life based on the Gospel, it emphasizes and gives witness to the word — a witness we can and must offer in order to evangelize.

“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!”

Love is like fire — what is important is to keep it lit. And fire must always burn something. Above all, it must consume our selfishness, and it can do this because by loving, we are projected outside of ourselves: either toward God, by carrying out his will, or toward our neighbors, by helping them.

Even a small fire, if it is fed, can become a large blaze — that blaze of love, peace and universal brotherhood that Jesus brought on earth.

Chiara Lubich

8 Comments

  • Whenever I read the Word of Life, or any other material by Chiara Lubich, I feel renewed and very refreshed. Thank you for keeping the website so updated. Two weeks ago I had a feeling that I have been away from God because I have not really loved. I read the text of Chiara about starting again and it made me feel that God was closer to me than never before. I came to realize that he never leaves us despite the nature of our sinful way of life. What is important is to accept his will.
    James – Nairobi KENYA

  • Sou es da Fazenda Esperança, colocamos diariamente a palavra de vida em prática,mas, a Palavra de Vida do mês de novembro me marcou muito, “Portanto Vigiai….quem ama, sabe esperar” tive uma experiência fortíssima. passei 3 meses da triagem sem visitas, qdo em novembro, chegam p/ visitar-me minha esposa, filho,meu pai, minha sogra, meu irmão, enfim, minha família, que eu machuquei tanto, mas com a graça de DEUS, me perdoaram e se deixaram perdoar. Continuo fazendo várias experîências com a palavra. Muito Obrigado, um forte abraço a todos. Paz e Bem!!

  • Soy de Uruguay,pero ahora vivo en España.En mi pais leia las publicaciones todos los meses,y compartia la lectura en otros grupos, me gustaria seguir haciendolo.Soy catequista. Muchas gracias y un saludo.

  • Vieni Spirito Santo nel mio cuore, vieni Spirito Santo nella mia famiglia e accendi il fuoco del Tuo Amore, la fiamma Viva della carità, Dell’umiltà, della Tua infinita Gioia…

  • Il suo solo fine è di rendere gli uomini contenti e felici per ogni istante della loro esistenza.Ma ci vuole un cambiamento di vita,per poter accettare Lo Spirito Santo,il fuoco che brucia, serve sottomettersi con umiltà al suo Amore.

  • The word of this month is so rich. Having been “cleansed” last month, it is time for action: to love and to set the world on fire! According to your wish, and in my own little way, I will love you in every neighbour that I meet. In loving, I think I will be able to evangelize better. I thank Chiara Lubich for this wonderful Word of Life for this month and my next correspondence, by God’s grace, will be coloured with beautiful acts of love.

    Camilla, Buea-Cameroon

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *