From Acquaintance to Friendship, From Discipleship to Intimacy

Sitting around a fire is a tradition our family enjoys. Having no outside distractions promotes a closeness, an intimacy whereby our true self is developed.

“Remember the time when…?”
“I think I might…”
“What would you think if…?”

Within that circle we too are bearing witness to Christ as we give of ourselves, promoting growth of the Spirit, fostering life whereby our lips and life agree. It is a time of open honesty, shared beliefs, and a moving forward toward a deeper understanding of who we are and what the Lord is asking us to do with our lives.

It s a prayer of the heart, rising upward as the smoke of incense rises into the heavens, allowing the Spirit to enter as He did at baptism. Keeping the Spirit growing through grace is the will of the Lord: “And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,”Here are my mother my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (My 3:35)

Deeper truths may come forth:

“Remember when we discovered in the Garden of Gethsemane that Jesus could have escaped the soldiers?”

“I think I might know why Peter denied knowing Christ as he sat around the fire of Herod.”

“What would you think about my going back to Israel as a volunteer at Magdala?”

St Ignatius of Loyola says,”One should set he world on fire. “ Fire is a symbol of “passionate commitment.” Before one sets the world on fire one must set his own heart on fire, a fire that begins with curiosity, asks questions, prays and listens, affirms and, lastly, acts.