When I was in my twenties, I wanted to start a company. I was then reading up a lot on Greek mythology. And I wanted to name the company Pyro Communications. In Greek, Pyro means fire. But I hesitated. Perhaps not so much that I was a Christian (and should not be trying to name my company after a Greek God) but I was afraid the company will go up in smoke even before I could begin.
So when I came across a gospel reflection last week on Thursday 24 October on Luke 12: 49 – Jesus said to his disciples: “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled.” I realized my obsession with fire began even in my teen years. My mum will tell you I almost burned down the house once.
St John of the Cross
Back to the reflection. I learnt that St John of the Cross reflected in depth about how entering into a divine union with Christ was similar to a log burning. At first, as the log begins to burn, it crackles and pops. This is because of the impurities within the wood, such as moisture or sap. Once the impurities are burnt out, the log becomes one with the fire. The log glows and emits light and heat.
God’s desire is to purify our souls and like St John’s analogy, many impurities need to be removed if we are to become one with God, emitting his radiance and glory. This purification involves a process of allowing God to forge us, to bring our sins to the surface so that they are seen and can be removed. But this is only possible if we allow the blazing fire of God’s purifying love to consume us.
In St John’s book, Living Flame of Love, he explains God’s love is dynamic, it precedes and burns before us. The Holy Spirit is “an infinite fire of love… that surpasses all the fires of the world.”
St Catherine of Siena
I did not have the privilege of choosing my baptism name, and when I realized I could choose a Patron Saint, I chose St Catherine of Siena. Her famous quote is fiery too. “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”
St Catherine somehow fed more fuel to my obsession. Fire is now no longer a destroyer. She showed me that fire is also about courage in living an unconventional life. And how I wish I could write like her. Her writing could move mountains. She wrote to Pope Gregory IX to return to Rome. She wrote “I know the vow you made. Live up to it. Be a man!” The Pope never revealed this vow to her, it was revealed to her by God.
Saintly Baptism or Confirmation Name
So choose a fiery saint’s name for your baptism or confirmation. Why?
The Apostles’ Creed says that we believe in the communion of saints. This means we are spiritually united with those who have died and are now in heaven. They can act as intercessors—they have the ability to assist us and pray for us.
By choosing a saint’s name you acknowledge this fact and you can ask a particular saint to assist you in bringing up the child or guiding you; the saint becomes the child’s or your Patron Saint, and a role model.
So who’s your Patron Saint?
May the fiery passion of our Saints ignite and kindle a fire in you.
Shared by Karen R-Fong, a wannabe tai-tai who wants to retire in a library of books and to read with our Lord to her last days.
References:
Word of God:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTVlmJpuhXA
Word on Fire:
https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/st-john-of-the-cross-and-the-divine-alchemy/
National Catholic Register:
https://www.ncregister.com/blog/fire-of-st-catherine-of-siena
Fransiscan magazine:
https://magazine.franciscan.edu/articles/learning-from-st-catherine-of-siena/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CLove%20of%20me%20and%20of,to%20love%20her%20fellow%20man.
Catholic.com:
https://www.catholic.com/qa/why-are-we-supposed-to-name-our-children-after-saints