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A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

Let Us Carry the Fire of the Holy Spirit

St. Teresa of Calcutta - Mother Teresa (died in 1997) was one of the most influential persons of our time. She was on fire with love of Christ, and she was so passionate about her beliefs that her life became an articulate expression of her Faith. She loved life, and so she hated abortion; thus, even when called to speak at the 1994 National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C.  to a pre-dominantly elite audience that included the president Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary, she strongly criticized the policy of government-funded abortion. Set the Earth on Fire

 

At the end of her speech the crowd gave Mother Teresa a standing cheer and clapped profusely.  While everyone else went in an uproar, the Clintons just sucked on their water bottles. Apparently, thirst overwhelmed them! Later when questioned, about Clinton’s meeting with Mother Teresa, Bill’s only response was, “I cannot argue with a life that had been so well lived.” All those who promote and fund for abortion, I am sure they thirst for life within themselves, but try to swallow up and act as if nothing wrong with them.

  On the day of our Baptism, we received the light of Christ and were instructed to keep that torch burning brightly until the return of Christ Jesus. Further, the Holy Spirit was sent into our hearts at Confirmation to help set us on fire. Our Lord Jesus continues to cast fire on the earth, the fire of the Spirit, through the ministry of Word and Sacraments. As Christians, we should have fire to inflame people to care, to serve, and to bless each other with all the gifts of faith. We should work with the Holy Spirit to allow that fire to burn off the impurities in us and to bring out the purity of the gold and silver within us. We need Divine fire to inflame our hearts with the love of God and love for his children.

  We Christians should blaze with the same fire with which Jesus wished his disciples to burn: “I came to cast fire upon earth and wish that it were already kindled” (Luke 12:49). Hence, let us remember the old saying, “One who is on fire cannot sit on a chair,” and let us carry the fire of the Holy Spirit wherever we go.

In the Service of the Lord,
  Fr Thainese Alphonse

 

     
       
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St. Bernadette Catholic Church