The season of Lent helped us pause and reflect on our spiritual lives. As we move from Lent to Easter, the Church guides our meditation to the Acts of the Apostles. Can you feel the pulse of the Church in high gear? Like listening to the drumbeat of a marching band? The apostles have been fired up. “You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching.”

So, the leaders of the Sanhedrin say as an accusation. Nothing could stop the apostles. They boldly proclaimed Jesus’ message despite open opposition…

In today’s Gospel, we find the same urgency recorded in the teaching of John the Baptist. Then and now, the world needs to hear the Gospel message to save humanity from its self-destructive ways.

St. Peter Julien often used the image of fire to speak about the Eucharist. Images convey what words cannot. He wanted us to be fired up with the Eucharist. In 1858 he wrote to Mme. Tholin-Bost: I would like to see you go with torch in hand, like a lightning bolt, to set the fire of Eucharistic love everywhere!

What a challenge!! Will you be a messenger today?

Let Us Pray:

Lord, wake me up from my lethargy. Send forth your Spirit that I also may become a witness to your love in the Eucharist for each and every person I encounter. Melt our hardened hearts. Let not indifference or lukewarmness put out the flame. Help me respond to the challenge to become a passionate witness to God’s love in my daily life.