Word on Fire is brought to you by Catholic Cemetery, 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 so that we might speak with

love about the one who is love.

The Archdiocese of Chicago through the generosity of Sacred Heart Parish in Winnetka

now presents the Word on

Fire.

Peace be with you.

Friends, I want to focus on our second reading this week.

This is the third Sunday of Advent.

Our second reading is taken from Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians.

It's the earliest Christian text that we have.

It dates from the early years of the 50s of the first century, so it's about 20 years before the

first gospel is written. It's a very precious text for that reason. When you read First Thessalonians,

think about that. The earliest text that we have,

Paul is writing, of course, to that little Christian community that he founded. And these are

among the last words of his letter, what we have in our reading today. He's given them what

in the ancient Greek rhetoric was called the peroration, this kind of final word of encouragement.

They are, I would submit to you, curious words.

Here's what Paul says.

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