Joy in the Journey

Over the years, my family and I have done a lot of camping, which means building a lot of campfires. In order for the fire to be successful, you have to have substantial dry firewood, some kindling and some tinder – often paper. These are built up in a way that allows the tinder to ignite the kindling and the kindling to ignite the firewood. My kids have become expert at constructing such a fire. In the end, although all elements are important, the spark, the match, the flame is what turns it from a pile of sticks to a source of warmth and light. 

Jesus had been preparing the Apostles by helping them change the way they lived for three years, He taught them, baptized them, served them, shared His very body and blood with them, and even breathed forgiveness for them to pass on to others. Yet they were still gathered in an upper room ‘for fear of the Jews’. They were the constructed fire, all of the elements dried, cut, prepared. Then Jesus said ‘I have to go get the flame’. He ascends to heaven and He and Father send the Holy Spirit to ignite the fire and give birth to the Church. Then they all then did things that they had never dared to do before. 

So what about us? Our year has taught us some things, maybe some hard lessons. Lent and Easter have prepared us. What will we allow Pentecost and the Holy Spirit to bring to flame for us? What we will do now that we have never dared to do before? Offer to pray with someone? Invite someone to an event at church? Invite someone to Mass? Invite someone to consider the Catholic faith?