The World Set Ablaze
Several years ago, a band by the name of FUN. came out with a song entitled "We Are Young." The catchy chorus of that song proceeds: "Tonight/We are young/So let's set the world on fire/we can burn brighter/Than the sun." The gist these lyrics is that young, vibrant people can or should or will make some major difference in the world. Moreover, that difference will cause them to "burn brighter than the sun." It seems that they desire to become stars that will be noticed and remembered by others in this world.
St. Catherine of Siena, whose memorial feast the Catholic Church celebrates today, also said something about fire in the world. The young Dominican exclaimed, "Become who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire." Perhaps FUN. had St. Catherine in mind when writing the song's chorus, because she was so youthful when she heartily took up her vocation to consecrated life. Nevertheless, her words are a clarion call to every human being: the only way to make a difference in the world that is truly noticeable and lasting is to take up one's vocation fully and joyfully.
As a woman imbued with the spirit of Christ, Catherine's whole mission was to bring people into relationship with the Lord Himself. Even the statement quoted above is merely an echo of something that Jesus said. "I came to cast fire upon the earth," the Lord exclaimed, "and would that it were already kindled" (Lk. 12:49)! So, God's Chosen One has come to the earth, and His mission is to have a huge bonfire made up of souls ablaze with the charity of the Living God. He wants everyone's heart to burn with and for God's glory. On this feast day, surely we can point to St. Catherine as an example for others to follow in that pursuit.
How, then, is the world to be set on fire? Could Jesus not have made this happen when and as He desired? Certainly, He could have done so. However, in the Father's eminent wisdom, the Messiah unleashed a different plan for how the kindling would take effect. In his Gospel account, St. Matthew records the words of St. John the Baptist. "I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I..." (Mt. 3:11). Indeed, it is in the sacramental life of the Church that the flame burns most brightly; and the sacraments are the foundation on which the light and love of Christ can be passed from one person to another. No one knew that as well as St. Catherine, who cherished her baptismal promises along with the rest of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.
Lastly, we must recall often that the Baptism by fire that Jesus bestows is not meant to be kept within. It is meant for the transformation of the world. Those who are baptized are to be the ones who set the world ablaze. The entire history of the Church, especially the lives of the saints, bears witness to this fact. Think of St. John the Evangelist, St. Paul of Tarsus, St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Joan of Arc, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Thomas More, St. John Paul the Great, or today's patroness, St. Catherine of Siena. Each of them, in their own unique way, spread to the world the fire that was placed in them at Baptism. Each and every one of us, must follow suit. Let us make sure that the world is set ablaze by our actions. The only way for us to make any sort of positive, lasting, and memorable impact on the world is for us become who God intends for us to be!
St. Catherine of Siena, whose memorial feast the Catholic Church celebrates today, also said something about fire in the world. The young Dominican exclaimed, "Become who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire." Perhaps FUN. had St. Catherine in mind when writing the song's chorus, because she was so youthful when she heartily took up her vocation to consecrated life. Nevertheless, her words are a clarion call to every human being: the only way to make a difference in the world that is truly noticeable and lasting is to take up one's vocation fully and joyfully.
As a woman imbued with the spirit of Christ, Catherine's whole mission was to bring people into relationship with the Lord Himself. Even the statement quoted above is merely an echo of something that Jesus said. "I came to cast fire upon the earth," the Lord exclaimed, "and would that it were already kindled" (Lk. 12:49)! So, God's Chosen One has come to the earth, and His mission is to have a huge bonfire made up of souls ablaze with the charity of the Living God. He wants everyone's heart to burn with and for God's glory. On this feast day, surely we can point to St. Catherine as an example for others to follow in that pursuit.
How, then, is the world to be set on fire? Could Jesus not have made this happen when and as He desired? Certainly, He could have done so. However, in the Father's eminent wisdom, the Messiah unleashed a different plan for how the kindling would take effect. In his Gospel account, St. Matthew records the words of St. John the Baptist. "I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I..." (Mt. 3:11). Indeed, it is in the sacramental life of the Church that the flame burns most brightly; and the sacraments are the foundation on which the light and love of Christ can be passed from one person to another. No one knew that as well as St. Catherine, who cherished her baptismal promises along with the rest of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.
Lastly, we must recall often that the Baptism by fire that Jesus bestows is not meant to be kept within. It is meant for the transformation of the world. Those who are baptized are to be the ones who set the world ablaze. The entire history of the Church, especially the lives of the saints, bears witness to this fact. Think of St. John the Evangelist, St. Paul of Tarsus, St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Joan of Arc, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Thomas More, St. John Paul the Great, or today's patroness, St. Catherine of Siena. Each of them, in their own unique way, spread to the world the fire that was placed in them at Baptism. Each and every one of us, must follow suit. Let us make sure that the world is set ablaze by our actions. The only way for us to make any sort of positive, lasting, and memorable impact on the world is for us become who God intends for us to be!
