First Sunday Next before Lent, QuinQuagesima
Intent: The Holy Spirit as the Fire of Love
In the Torah it is written “There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.” Exodus 3:2
At Jesus’ baptism it is also written that John the Baptist exclaimed: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I….. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matt. 3:11
Later at the Pentecost, the Aeon Christ gives the gift of the sanctifying force of the Holy Spirit as a Holy Fire: “cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.” Acts: 2:3.
This deep connection between the presence of the Deity and fire is a truly ancient one as evidenced by its presence in Zoroastrianism as well as the importance of candle light in Christian liturgy. Being consumed, as if by a fire, by the presence of God’s Love has been proclaimed by many Christian mystics in the past and from mystics from many faiths and cultures.
In the Gnostic Church this experience has been known as the 'Second Baptism of Fire and Spirit' and has been the subject of a seperate sacrament.
This Holy Fire is also purifying fire as Psalm 97 proclaims that: “A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.”
As Gnostics and Mystics, the Love that the Divine showers upon us can indeed seem severe at times; for it purifies the human mind and soul and lays waste to everything which can impede our unity with God. This is not always an easy experience as it leaves our lower selves, to which we desperately cling, utterly destitute, but for many of us this will be the logical result of the mystical quest. We should have confidence in this purifying and slavific force.
Let us therefore pray as One Gnostic Community and One Universal Gnostic Church that we may one day get to know the Divine so intimately as to feel the awesome power of His Holy Purifying Fire; and let us have the confidence to let this Love consume all that is base and harmful in us. Amen.
At Jesus’ baptism it is also written that John the Baptist exclaimed: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I….. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matt. 3:11
Later at the Pentecost, the Aeon Christ gives the gift of the sanctifying force of the Holy Spirit as a Holy Fire: “cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.” Acts: 2:3.
This deep connection between the presence of the Deity and fire is a truly ancient one as evidenced by its presence in Zoroastrianism as well as the importance of candle light in Christian liturgy. Being consumed, as if by a fire, by the presence of God’s Love has been proclaimed by many Christian mystics in the past and from mystics from many faiths and cultures.
In the Gnostic Church this experience has been known as the 'Second Baptism of Fire and Spirit' and has been the subject of a seperate sacrament.
This Holy Fire is also purifying fire as Psalm 97 proclaims that: “A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.”
As Gnostics and Mystics, the Love that the Divine showers upon us can indeed seem severe at times; for it purifies the human mind and soul and lays waste to everything which can impede our unity with God. This is not always an easy experience as it leaves our lower selves, to which we desperately cling, utterly destitute, but for many of us this will be the logical result of the mystical quest. We should have confidence in this purifying and slavific force.
Let us therefore pray as One Gnostic Community and One Universal Gnostic Church that we may one day get to know the Divine so intimately as to feel the awesome power of His Holy Purifying Fire; and let us have the confidence to let this Love consume all that is base and harmful in us. Amen.