The Lord Jesus came to bring the fire of the Holy Spirit. We receive the Holy Spirit when we accept God’s love, repent, and surrender our lives to him. Our hearts are set on fire to witness to him. We did not choose him, God himself chose us to witness to him and declare his love and mercy to all. During the days of Jeremiah, the people of Israel rejected God’s message. Similarly, when we stand for Gospel truths, even our family members might reject us and ridicule us, because many prefer to follow external rituals and live at the surface level. Today’s readings call us to persevere, to win this generation for the Kingdom of God, in spite of the obstacles and hardships that we may have to face, by “keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of our faith. Who, for the sake of the joy that lay before him, endured the cross, despising its shame, and took his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” (cf Heb 12:2)

PRAYER: Abba Father, help us to be faithful to you, even when it is hard. May your love burn within us. Amen.