Jesus says to us in the Gospel this weekend: 'I have come to cast fire upon the earth.’ In sacred Scripture fire is both a symbol and a means of purification — and a powerful image of God the Holy Spirit. Fire generates both light and heat. Light casts out darkness. Heat in a furnace removes

impurities from the metal when forged. Both of these can be applied to the meaning behind Jesus’ words: the fire He has come to cast is the fire of the Holy Spirit that will pierce the darkness of sin and purify our hearts, removing any trace of dross or imperfection. Let us ask for a share of that

fire of Divine Love which the Lord promises to cast upon the earth so that our hearts may become more like the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which burns with love for us.