Word on Fire is brought to you by Catholic Cemetery's, serving the Chicago area since 1837.

This is Cardinal Francis George, and I invite you to join me for the next few minutes to

reflect with Father Robert Barron on the Word of God, which is the Word on Fire.

Father Barron will challenge us to open our hearts to the Word on Fire, which is God's

Word of Love for each of us.

If our hearts are open, the Lord can change and transform us, who we might speak with

God's Love about the One who is Love.

The Archdiocese of Chicago through the generosity of Sacred Heart Parish in Winetka now presents

the Word on Fire.

Peace be with you, and Merry Christmas to all.

Friends, I'm going to do something I've never done in my 20 years as a priest and preacher.

I'm going to commence a Christmas homily by invoking a rock star.

Several weeks ago, I was reading in Rolling Stone magazine, an interview with Bono.

He's the lead singer of the group U2, one of the best-known rock groups in the world.

And Bono, you know, is emerged as kind of a major player on the world stage, not only as

a pop singer, but as a kind of social activist, working especially with problems of third

world debt and poverty.

There's a famous picture, by the way, when he met with John Paul II, who was very supportive

of Bono's efforts, and the Pope himself put on Bono's distinctive sunglasses.

So here's this figure who is a great pop star, but also an important player, I'd say,

on the world stage.

In the course of this interview, he talked about his spiritual life.

...