I Have Come to Set Fire on the Earth

Pastor’s Column

20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 17, 2025

“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!  There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!

Luke 12:49 – 53

Jesus’ words this Sunday can be quite startling! (Luke 12:49 – 53). What does Jesus mean when he says he is “going to set fire to the earth” or that he intends to cause division rather than simply bringing peace? Let’s look for a moment and see what Scripture means by fire.

Fire is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Not only does the Holy Spirit appear as tongues of fire at Pentecost, but God attracts Moses’ attention by a burning bush in Exodus as well (Ex 3:2). Jesus calls his disciples the “light of the world” (Mt 5:14)! To enkindle the flame of the spirit means to cooperate with God’s will for us. Is there something in my life which is putting out the fire of the Holy Spirit? Is there something I need to repent of?  If the flame of zeal is not burning brightly, perhaps there is not enough fuel of faith, prayer, or good works, or repentance from habitual sin.

Fire is a symbol of love. We see this very clearly when the two disciples of Jesus are walking away from Jerusalem on the road to Emmaus. Jesus comes up to these dispirited disciples and speaks with them about the Scriptures and about his sacrifice for humankind.  They don’t recognize him, but while he speaks to them their “hearts are burning within them” (Luke 24:32). Images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus often show flames pouring out of Christ’s heart. The fire of love, if it is hot enough, will consume everything that is not the object of its desire. Christ wants this kind of love and wishes to ignite it all over the earth, but we must respond to the love Christ has shown us. We have a choice.

Fire means a time of judgment. Here again Jesus is not shy to point out the consequences of rejecting God. He compares the loss of God (hell) to a fire which never goes out, for nothing can possibly satisfy us except God for whom we were made; and the loss of so great a love is symbolized by eternal fire. He also points out that a tree or a mind that fails to bear fruit will ultimately be thrown on the fire.

Fire is purifying. Scripture often uses the image of refining silver and gold in the fire as the great work that God is doing in each of our souls in life. Because God gave us free will, we are a mixture of conflicting desires that need to be purified. Jesus wishes to purify us by means of our sufferings and desires, through patience and perseverance. Our submission to the spiritual direction of the Holy Spirit in this way is critical for our purification in this world.

Father Gary