Transforming Fire

Details: 22 July 2011

When Moses saw the burning bush on Mount Horeb while tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, he noticed the bush, although on fire, wasn’t being consumed. As he approached it, he heard the Lord say, "Moses! Moses! … I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Ex 3:1-22). After revealing Himself to Moses, he was given the lofty task of freeing his fellow Israelites from the slavery of Pharaoh.

One of the images of God the Holy Spirit is fire. When we cooperate with God after receiving His Divine Life into our souls after receiving the sacraments of baptism and confirmation (and especially with the frequent reception of the sacraments of confession and the Holy Eucharist), the fire of the Holy Spirit transforms us rather than consumes us.

On July 13, the Universal Church celebrated the memorial of St. Henry. While a young man, he had a vision of St. Wolfgang, the bishop of Ratisbon, who was responsible for his education. In the vision, St. Wolfgang pointed to the words, "After six." Thinking he would die in six years, he started preparing for a holy death in earnest. After the six years were up, he was elected emperor. Some would argue this was a sentence worse than death because of the grave responsibility before Almighty God for being a holy and just ruler.

Before his marriage to St. Cunegunda, they both vowed to live chaste lives in the pattern of Sts. Mary and Joseph. After his election he spent his time defending and promoting the growth and well-being of Holy Mother Church and the salvation of souls. Upon entering a city he sought out the nearest church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and kept watch all night in prayer. This dedication to prayer and the desire for holiness allowed the fire of the Holy Spirit to transform him into the saintly instrument of God that he was.

I often marvel at the generosity of our benefactors. Why does someone donate to Catholic Social Services? It is because the fire of the Holy Spirit has moved them to support the mission of loving Jesus present in the poor and needy. There is no other reason.

Recently, we helped a single woman living in her car escape homelessness. Without our generous donors across southern Nebraska she would still be living in her car. She is extremely grateful for your help, which was generated by the transforming fire of God the Holy Spirit.

Whether it is help with grants for counseling for individuals un-insured or under-insured, or help with emergency services like the woman described above, or help with material items of goods around the house not needed, our patrons have for almost 80 years assisted us as a result of the transforming nature of the fire of the Holy Spirit.

Please know that we at Catholic Social Services will continue to keep you, your families and intentions in our daily prayers. Sts. Mary, Joseph, Henry, Cunegunda, Wolfgang and the whole Heavenly Host, pray for us!!