PENTECOST.
Christ a Fire.
" Behold, the Lord will come with fire." (Is. lxvi. 15.)
I. The Holy Ghost descended on the Apostles, in the appearance of fire, and thus enlightened them, inflamed them, and transformed them into other men. Reflect how much you stand in need of this heavenly <ire, since you are so cold in the service of God, and so covered with the dross of earthly affections. You stand in need of being warmed and purified. " Thy silver is earned into dross — I will turn my hand to thee, and I will clean purge away thy dross, and I will take away all thy tin." (Is. i. 22, 25.) Endeavor to merit this kindness from your Lord, when He visits you in the sacrament.
II. In the Eucharist, Christ is properly a fire, in regard to the soul, but concealed under a cloud. " The Lord thy God," says Moses, "is a consuming fire." (Deut. iv. 24.) It consumes the chaff of earthly affections, purifies the soul from its dross, expels its tepidity and enlightens its darkness. " It purifies the soul," as St. Gregory says, "from the rust of sin." The Eucharist is like the hot coal, taken from the altar, that purified the lips of Isaias and endowed Him with the spirit of prophecy. Be convinced that it will produce its effects in you. if you be properly disposed.
