On Starting Fires
My parish had fair warning.
The bishop had just finished celebrating the Mass where I was officially installed as pastor. Parishioners were gathered in our reception hall to enjoy a mighty banquet crowned by a watermelon carved with the words: ‘Good luck Father.’ It was a beautiful day and I was humbled by the gift and responsibility of being called to pastor a parish.
Then, without warning, a prophetic moment unfolded.
In those initial hours of my pastorate, something happened that should have given all of my parishioner's fair warning of the type of pastor I would be.
The fire alarms went off.
It took a few seconds for my brain to register what was happening as the strobe lights and pulsating alarms flooded our parish hall. While most around me seemed unphased (more on that later), I jumped into action. After a brief investigation, I discovered that someone had inadvertently activated an alarm station. While at that moment, relief washed over me, the next moment brought new anxiety as a cacophony of sirens rounded the corner into our parking lot. While not necessarily the best introduction to our local first responders, I was impressed by the speed and… well, let’s say, comprehensiveness of the response of the local fire department. I can only imagine what our neighbors thought when they saw that robust emergency presence at the church: “Did that new pastor already burn the parish down?”
Not yet. But it was only my first day.
The Sign of Times to Come
“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing.” - Luke 12:49
In the outstanding series, Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture, Pablo Gadenz examines the above verse in Luke’s gospel and notes,
“This fire … is associated with a baptism that Jesus still has to receive: the words ‘fire’ and ‘baptism’ are emphasized in the Greek text as the first words in the two parallel sentences…. The combination here of fire and baptism therefore looks forward to Jesus’ sending the tongues of fire at Pentecost, when the disciples will be baptized - that is, filled with the Holy Spirit.” - The Gospel of Luke p247
I daresay that this insight reveals the two central realities of parish renewal.
Firstly, it is vital to remember that parish renewal is not the responsibility of a few but instead belongs to all the baptized. Through our baptism, we share in the mission entrusted to the Church to “Go, make disciples of all nations...” (Mt 28:19). In our Confirmation, we were sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and anointed for this mission. There are many men and women who, in recent years, have become especially effective catalysts of renewal. Yet this fire must burn in the hearts of many more people in the pews before a new age of missionary Catholicism begins.
Secondly, Gadenz’s insight keeps us anchored to the driving principle of renewal - only the Holy Spirit has ever or can ever renew the Church. While we need to transform parish structures and strategies, it is dangerously easy to become so immersed in the “how-to’s” that we forget that it is all a work of God’s grace.
Individuals striving to be agents of renewal, to be firestarters in their own communities, must never lose focus on the truth that it is the Holy Spirit who makes men and women - and institutions and communities - new creations.
On Lighting Fires
The fire that began at my installation has swept through our parish. The past four years have been characterized by a comprehensive and radical focus on transforming our community into missionary disciples. The fire of renewal has purged some things, and purified others. It has brought about many unique and unexpected fruits. At the same time, it has and still does cause difficulties and struggles for all involved. That isn’t surprising because we who worship a crucified God know that the path to new life always passes through the way of the cross.
When I was back in the rectory on the night of my installation and reflecting on the beautiful chaos of that critical day, one realization gave me pause: I was the only one who reacted when the fire alarms went off. Sure, a few people poked their heads up and quizzically looked at me (I wanted to shout, “I didn’t start the fire,” but thankfully realized that the Billy Joel jokes would have to wait), but most people carried on with their conversations. There was no sense of urgency and minimal acknowledgment of the warning.
That represents what has been happening in the Catholic Church for a while now. Alarm bells have been going off, but only a few people have responded. For the renewal of Catholic parishes to take root, we need far more Catholics to awaken to their baptismal identity and the resulting call to participate in the Church’s mission. In other words, every person in the Church needs to become a minister of fire.
