Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of the faithful And enkindle in them The fire of your love

Hearts on Fire Joyce Rupp

I wanted it Desired it greatly Yearned for its coming

But when it did come I fought it, resisted Ran, hid away

I said “Go home!”

I didn’t know The fire of God Could be more than A gentle glow

Or a cozy consolation

I didn’t know It could come As a blaze

A wildfire Uncontrolled Searing at my soul Chasing my old ways Smoking them out

Only when I stopped running Gave up the chase Surrendered Did I know the fire’s flaming As consolation and joy

Only then could I welcome the One whose fire I had long sought

Reflect - discuss What were you last passionate about? Recall the fire of your profession. Is it still a bright blaze or a smoldering ember? What prevents you from imaging the Father as God wildly and recklessly in love with you?

For Francis

Francis of Assisi

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. The Revised Standard Version (Mt 5:13). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?” The Revised Standard Version (Lk 24:30). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2 And the angel of the L ORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and lo, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. The Revised Standard Version (Ex 3:2). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

21 And the L ORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night; 22 the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people. The Revised Standard Version (Ex 13:21). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, 7 so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. The Revised Standard Version (1 Pe 1:6). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire. The Revised Standard Version (Heb 12:28). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Reflect - discuss What were you last passionate about? Does your profession reflect the passion and fire of a personal call of the Holy Spirit for others? When where you last excited to be a Franciscan in pursuit of Jesus? What prevents you from imaging the Father as God wildly and recklessly in love with you? When did you last let your light shine?