On the Cross, Fire, and the Love of God

When you need something—music, food, rest—it becomes added weight to your Cross.

When you don’t need it, it remains a gift and eases the burden.

All things endured while looking down, away from the Lord, lead to death.

But when we look up to Him, the very passions that once dragged us down become the path to liberation.

And at the close of day, every weight is trampled down by confession.

The true Cross is not merely the weight of the material world, but the evil that seeps in through the cracks.

Though the rains fall and the sun shines, the virtuous man calls on the Lord, keeping watch at the windows. He enjoys both the patter of rain and the cross-breeze flowing through the hallway.

If lust, despair, or any beast intrudes, it must be laid upon the Cross—carried until, by grace, it is trampled down.

The goal is to host a fire so bright that it illumines the world and draws angels near—yet so hot that it drives off beasts and dries up the leaks.

This fire is born of love for the Lord, fostered through constant prayer, contemplation, and the reading of Scripture, both written and unwritten.

To others we must say: Open your windows.

We bring them light, so that the heart may breathe through the senses. If the breeze is gentle, they will keep their windows open.

When invited inside, we must tread with humility. If the hearth is empty, we bring logs. If it smolders, we fan it. If it rages, we sit in its warmth until the fire serves its purpose. But we build the fire only as much as grace allows, and stay no longer than permitted.

Focusing on the fire of Love naturally deters beasts. So we must not dwell on one another’s imperfections, but rather fan each other’s flame. Yet we must take care—not to be cast out, nor to burn down another man’s house. If cast out, let us pray unceasingly for the victim and beg mercy before God.

Because carrying fire into another soul’s house is no small task, we must deliver the solid truth—the fuel of Love kindled by the grace of God.

So let every act be a log for the fire.

Let every word, offering, and service beg for the Lord’s grace, that another temple of Christ may be lit.

And so, the darkness is illumined—one speck at a time—like stars filling the evening sky, until the world itself is consumed by Light, and every window is left open unto the ages of ages.

Amen.