Undying Flame

The tongues of fire that descended upon the gathered apostles and Mary remain with the Church even today when her weaknesses and sins make daily headlines. "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Mt 28:20). When this promise was made, the Holy Spirit had not yet been poured out on the apostles who still did not fully understand their mission. Even when that flame was released and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to preach boldly, work miracles and suffer martyrdom, the wrinkles of controversy, power struggle and division plagued this new formed Church. Recent news of the Christian burial of the astronomer Copernicus in Poland as a hero almost 500 years after he was condemned for a teaching then deemed contrary to the Bible, that the earth indeed revolved around the sun, and not vice versa, attests to the human factor that will always make the Church vulnerable to error and even ridicule. As we examen our own lives, we see that the "margin of error" is very high; may it serve as a reminder that the Body of Christ, composed of many such imperfect "cells", is also subject to these imperfections. Yet, the "undying flame" remains, the promise holds true: "upon this rock I will build my Church and all the powers of hell will not conquer it." (Mt 16:18). How assuring, how necessary to hear again and reflect on, as we prepare for Pentecost in 2010. Come, Holy Spirit, Undying Flame, burn your strength, power and hope into our hearts. Be our guide, our protector and the Animator of our choices and actions. Amen.
Bro. Rene