Nox Gaudii (Night Of Joy) 2015: Being A Church On Fire

Nature has a way of reacting to its surroundings. A flame will bring light to its environment and in addition, warmth. A flame when kindled will burst into a fire. Fire can transform, it can destroy or it can cleanse. I am always mesmerized by the burning flames of fire. At camp bond fires, I can stare endlessly into the flames that dances in shades of red, orange, yellow and blue. The warmth, the sound of crackling wood and the smell of char burnt remains. The element of fire reminds me of such beauty and at the same time such danger.

Unlike other evangelical or charismatic christian denominations, the Catholic church locally is known to be traditional and often subtle in our outreaches. We are commonly described as lukewarm or reserved. I'd like to think that each of us has a little flame in us from Pentecost. If many little flames come together for the mission of Christ we will burst into a raging fire - fearless, swift and powerful to spread the gospel.

"I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning!"
Luke 12:49

This is the fire of faith, the fire of passion, the fire of conviction, the fire of love, the fire of holiness, the fire of hope. When this fire touch our lives, it changes us forever.

We are called to come together to be a fireplace. Many in our church have yet to meet Jesus. Can we be a fireplace to grow friendship and to share our lives?


Fr. Jude David's preaching on Being A Church On Fire

"If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames."
1 Corinthians 3

My little handmade flame after Nox Guadii with a personalized message

"We know we were made for more than ordinary lives
It's time for us to more than just survive
We were made to thrive!"
Thrive, Casting Crowns

Burn with praise!

Read:
Nox Gaudii 2015: Behold I Make All Things New