"I [John] immerse you in water for the turning, but the one [Jesus] coming after me ... will immerse you in sacred spirit and fire."
*Gospel of Matthew 3.11
* * *
A memory...
Standing beside, feeling its warmth, yard rake in hand. Fallen leaves from oak and pecan trees aglow. Crackling sound. Dark smoke into the sky. Near, but dare not too near. Know not to, knowing the way of fire. Enchanted... a young lad adoring the dancing flames.
* * *
closer and closer day after day, night after night
quiet, still - beside the flaming fire unsatisfied, wineskin longing for wine
closeness closer than closeness, pleasant and painful awkward the ache for the return
body going upstream, soul going downstream unrest like a herald sent by a god
the fire brings the warmth the burning brings this other burning
fire frees into union with itself so to be Light of the world
I stop staring at what has been, what I think, dropping it all now, walking toward the other burning
where the separation, faint memory yearning has no place to dwell
gladdened by the welcome into these kindly flames of Love
***
Yes, [people] will come because they will want to touch, they will want to feel. As we journey toward the Absolute... we will bring light, and fire and warmth into the cold and ever more mechanical world ... where everyone is treated “efficiently.” We are being chosen for a new dimension of love.
*Catherine Doherty. Poustinia:: Encountering God in Silence, Solitude and Prayer.
Questions and Reminders in Verse -
The first burning. The other burning. What are these?
What is the turning? From what? To what? You turn or you are turned?
Sacred spirit - What is it? Where is it? Everywhere? Nowhere? Inside or outside?
What is this "new dimension of love"? Is it new, or not? Have you been there?
How can we be near the Christ? How not, if we are near each other? We are fire... or, at least, we can be.
Who has been fire for you, lately? Who is fire for you? Whom are you fire for?
Does it ever go out - your fire - the fire - fire?
