“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” (Lk 12:49). Jesus longs to see each one of us on fire with love for God and for each other. He doesn’t want to see just a little flicker of love. No, he wants to see our hearts blazing—full of warmth, energy, and light.
Fire is usually destructive. It burns away almost everything in its path, leaving behind unrecognizable piles of ashes. But God’s fire is different. Remember when Moses encountered God in the burning bush: “There the angel of the Lord appeared to him as fire flaming out of a bush. When he looked, although the bush was on fire, it was not being consumed” (Ex 3:2). The bush was on fire, but it was not destroyed. Likewise, when we’re on fire with God’s love, we remain ourselves, but God works and speaks through us. Other people can encounter the love of God through us when our hearts are blazing.
St. Catherine of Siena said, “Be who you were meant to be and you will set the world on fire.” How empowering! By becoming “the best-versions-of-ourselves” (Matthew Kelly), we will be who God meant for us to be. In turn, we will help fulfill Jesus’s mission and desire: to set the earth on fire.
If you’re not sure who God meant for you to be, prayer is the perfect place to start. You might consider creating a mission statement by considering your strengths, passions, and talents. The book LifeWork: Finding Your Purpose in Life focuses on the unique, personal vocation and mission that God calls each person to. Matthew Kelly has many resources on becoming what he calls “the best-version-of-yourself” that you can find on dynamiccatholic.com.
Once God has revealed your unique mission to you, carry it out boldly, knowing that by setting your own heart on fire, you are striking the match that will set the whole world blazing.
Come Holy Spirit, kindle the fire of Your love into me so that I can carry it out to the world.