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, so that we might speak with

love about the one who is love.

The Archdiocese of Chicago through the generosity of Sacred Heart Parishing Winnetka now presents

the Word on fire.

Peace be with you.

Friends our Gospel for today is one of the most beloved stories in the New Testament.

In fact, we can find an account of this scene in all four of the Gospels, which is very

rare, by the way, that a scene is recounted in all four.

Here's one of them, Jesus' feeding of the 5,000.

This event must have struck them with great power, because it's so central in the Gospels,

and it's been so central really in our tradition for artists and for poets and for preachers.

This scene really bears a lot of careful reading and careful commentary.

I want you to know something first, how darkly this account begins.

Listen to how Matthew describes it.

When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place

by himself.

The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns.

The story opens with news of the death of John the Baptist.

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