Word on fire is brought to you by Catholic cemeteries, 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, to that we might speak with

love about the One who is love.

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

the Word on fire.

Peace be with you.

Friends, I want to concentrate today on one line from our second reading.

It's a great line, an important line.

I do so with trepidation, because this is bringing us onto very mysterious ground.

Here's the line in question, it's taken from Paul's letter to the Colossians.

The Apostle says, now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling

up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ.

Let me say it again, I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling

up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ.

That Paul's suffered a great deal is attested to frequently in his letters.

He was beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned many times, rejected by his own people, and he

suffered his life long under the weight of some ailment.

We don't know if it was physical or psychological, but he complained this way, Lord, three times

...