Thursday 3/11

Hebrews 12:18-29
You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”
The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”
The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”


Reflection:
Think about fire. When kept in its place, it is safe and warm and pleasant. We bring it into our homes, use it for light and heat, find comfort in its crackle and flicker. We enjoy a good fire, as long as it stays within its boundaries. As soon as a spark jumps onto the carpet we stamp it out – and well we should, it would be dangerous otherwise. But I wonder if we don’t do the same with God. Lord forgive me, I know I do. When a spark of that Consuming Fire jumps beyond the boundaries I have set, I stamp it out – it would be dangerous otherwise.
What would happen if we let go of our need for control, if we let God be God, if we let him consume us like a fire that has jumped beyond the hearth – to catch the curtains, the carpet, the walls, the roof. What a blaze would that be! It would be frightening, just as raging fire is frightening. We relegate God to Sunday mornings and “devo” time because we are afraid. We are afraid to love like fire burns, to be set ablaze. We are afraid because it means a loss of control. Our plans, our maps, our wills are burned to ash. Only the living God, the Consuming Fire remains.
And yes, many will watch us burn in judgment, calling us fanatical, crazy, unbalanced. But find me an Old Testament prophet who was not “crazy.” Find me one of Christ’s disciples who wasn’t called, “fanatic.” Find me a great saint who has not been “a little off the deep end.” To the world, this fire is madness.
I ask a simple question: What would happen if we let the Fire breach its bounds? What are the possibilities if we open our hearts and lives to the All-Consuming Fire? I don’t pretend to know. But I am sure it would be a wonder.
-Ben T.

Prayer:
Ask God to reveal the ways in which you have tried to “box” him. Ask for the grace to release your whole self to his will. Perhaps even repeat a simple prayer as you go about your day, such as, “Consume me, Oh God,” or, “You are a consuming fire.”