This is Cardinal Francis George. 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. Word on

Fire Catholic Ministries is a non-profit ministry at the forefront of Catholic evangelization

using new media to spread the faith and every continent. Father Barron challenges 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 global benefactors of Word on Fire with the support of the Archdiocese of

Chicago now present Word on Fire. Peace be with you. Friends, throughout the Easter season, the

church has been inviting us to meditate on the magnificent acts of the Apostles, which as you

know is the second volume of St. Luke's two-volume treatment of Jesus in the church. What we call the

gospel of Luke is volume one. What we call the acts of the Apostles is volume two. That's why that

gospel and the acts have to be read so tightly together thematically. Well, the book opens with a

promise of the Holy Spirit. Listen, while meeting with them, he, the he hears Jesus,

enjoying them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father about

which you've heard me speak. It's the risen Christ now. Speaking to his followers and he's saying,

look, don't leave the city until this promise from the Father comes. He's speaking of the Spirit,

Holy Spirit. Described in our gospel for today as the paracletos, that means prosecuting attorney.

I'll come back to that. Why it has that very interesting name. Jesus now continues. This is the

risen Christ speaking. John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy

Spirit. He's talking about Pentecost, isn't he? The day when the Spirit descends upon the church.

But what is the Spirit? Better who is the Spirit? He's the love that links together the Father and

the Son. It's very important to keep this in mind now and keep it as the context for these readings.

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