tongues of fire

You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; and just so you learn to love God and man by loving. Begin as a mere apprentice, and the very power of love will lead you on to become a master of the art. (St Francis de Sales, 1567-1622)

okay, now apart from the fact that it has to be one of the most entertaining commercials on television right now, the DQ Flamethrower commercial is also a rich illustration of how important it is to be deeply mindful of the necessity of learning how to express love carefully, lest we destroy each other with our good intentions…

see, we were talking just the other day about excellence in service of others, and it occured to me that, apart from all the quality control filtration that we employ to the things we do in our quest for the ultimate offering of our best, there is one crucial element that can establish or blow the whistle on the level of excellence of any service endeavor:

it is the investment of love.

if we explore romans 12.9-21 together, in particular the bit about heaping flaming coals upon the head of another (the writer of romans is citing proverbs 25.21-22) , we can conclude that to love is to be more than merely hospitable... it is to give the gift of fire.

the exciting affirmation comes when we dare to look at the story of pentecost recorded in acts 2.1-4 through this lens.

in acts 2, we see God living by example, pouring out love upon those who, steeped in sin, would be the enemies of God if it were not for their acceptance of the grace and forgiveness that God has offered. we read an account of a mighty rushing wind and tongues of fire lighting upon the heads of the faithful gathered in that meeting place, as God gives food to the spiritually hungry and drink to the spiritually thirsty, affording them the kind of spiritual nourishment that they will need to speak openly about the life-changing power of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection in the same town that, a month and a half earlier, orchestrated the execution in a surreal kangaroo court. we read about miracles and wonders and acts of service and healing performed on that day. we read about people from every region and dialect hearing the message in their own language.

what are the languages that people speak around us today?

how might we share, with this heavenly anointing, the gospel with the needy?

how might we speak life with a heavenly accent?

***
In Chapter XVII of his Rule of 1221, Francis of Assisi (different francis) told the friars not to preach unless they had received the proper permission to do so. Then he added, “Let all the brothers, however, preach by their deeds.”

The great (and very catchy) quote, very Franciscan in its spirit, but not literally from St. Francis seems to say the same thing...

Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.
(http://www.americancatholic.org/messenger/Oct2001/Wiseman.asp)