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 Parish in Winetka, now presents

the Word on fire.

Peace be with you.

Friends, we've come to the fourth Sunday of Advent.

This time of anticipation, waiting for the coming of Christ, has reached its fulfillment.

And the church invites us to look at Mary.

We've seen two other great Advent figures, Isaiah the Prophet, John the Baptist.

But now, as Advent comes to its high point, the church says, look to Mary.

I might have told you this story a few years ago, but many years ago when I was a CPE student,

it means clinical, pastoral education, it's part of your formation as a seminarian, I was

working in a hospital with a group of all non-Catholic students.

And one day I brought my Brevery, my prayer book in, and one of the Lutheran students picked

it up, and she was paging through it, and she said, you know, you Catholics are really

obsessed with Mary.

I think you put her higher than Christ.

...