Readings for June 7-8, Pentecost Sunday
By Lyn Zahorik | For On Mission
About 50 days ago, Catholics in churches throughout the world waited in darkness for one tiny spark to burst into flames. Used to ignite the Paschal Candle, the blazing fire declared “Christ is risen.”
This Sunday, the image of fire emerges again as a powerful symbol in the story of Pentecost. Fire becomes the bookends to these past weeks of Easter rejoicing.
Fire has fascinated humans for thousands of years.
In the beginning, fire was essential for survival, as it provided warmth, protection and a means to cook food. Because of this, early humans developed a deep connection to fire, and that instinct still lingers today.
Fire is mesmerizing.
Watching the flickering flames in a fireplace on a cold, snowy evening brings a sense of calm, reflection and security. Gathering with others around a campfire often fosters connection, laughter, storytelling and remembering.
Fire teaches us to be vigilant in its presence.
Think about the times when a perfectly toasted marshmallow ignited into a flaming torch due to being held over the fire just a few seconds too long!
Just as fire delights us in happy moments, it also holds destructive power. Fire can consume and destroy. This spring, areas in our nation experienced wildfires. In the months and years ahead, as these burnt-out areas are revisited, new growth will have reshaped the landscape.
In industry, the intensity of fire is used to mold metal, create pottery and refine sand, bringing out of raw materials a new, beautiful and useful purpose.
I remember one July, on a 90-degree day, visiting a glass factory in Indiana. The fires in the building’s pits raised temperatures to well over 1000 degrees. I felt my breath being knocked out of me. Yet I watched with awe as the intense heat of the fire transformed viscous liquid, with the breath of a glass blower and some cooling, into a solid, ornate glass vase.
Pentecost is often associated with fire.
The Spirit descended upon the apostles and they saw tongues of fire. That “spirit-filled fire” challenged the apostles to leave their place of fearful hiding and complacency to step boldly into a life of purpose, with the mission being to spread the Gospel to the world.
On this Pentecost Sunday, our generation of apostles will also wait upon the fire to reshape our hearts, calling us to step beyond fear into a bold faith.
We will be challenged to embrace the fires of prayer, surrender and openness to the Spirit’s guidance and allow God to refine us, strengthen us and lead us in acts of love and service.
The Feast of Pentecost is called the “Birthday of the Church.” This year, over 2,000 candles will burn on our birthday cake. That’s a lot of fire!
Envision it heating up our souls as Jesus, the eternal glass blower, breathes his Spirit into us.
Will you allow yourself to be transformed or will you resist the fire?
Lyn Zahorik is director for spiritual engagement at St. Mary Parish, Omro, and St. Mary Parish, Winneconne.
Readings for June 7-8, Pentecost Sunday
The readings for Sunday, June 8, can be found at Pentecost Sunday | USCCB.