Warmed by the Fire

Twice in St. John’s Passion narrative we hear mention of Peter keeping warm on the chilly night of the Lord’s betrayal. “Now the slaves and the guards were standing around a charcoal fire they had made, because it was cold, and were warming themselves. Peter was also standing there, keeping warm.” (Jn. 18:18) Later we read that “Simon Peter was standing there keeping warm.” (Jn. 18:25)

But no blazing fire could take away the intense chill of fear and grief that came upon Peter that night. His triple denial of Jesus plunged him deeper and deeper into a night of spiritual darkness and intense cold.

Only Jesus could warm Peter’s heart. Jesus brought the fire of God’s love, burning strong and bright, to a world made cold through sin and death. “I came to bring fire to the earth,” Jesus said, “and how I wish it was already kindled!” (Lk. 12:49) This is the fire that Jesus kindled on the earth through his Passion. The new fire at the Easter Vigil that rises out of the darkness and cold of our Good Friday reminds us of it.

Even though it is Easter Time, we find ourselves in a bleak time as COVID-19 makes our lives and our world cold and dark. Now more than ever, we need the warmth of Christ’s love, the love that burned in his heart and empowered him to accept death on the cross for our salvation. The warmth of Christ’s love is reflected in those who are courageously and generously caring for victims of COVID-19 in a spirit of self-sacrifice.

There is another charcoal fire in John’s gospel: the charcoal fire on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias, where the risen Christ prepares breakfast for his disciples. (Jn. 21:9) There’s room for us to gather with them in spirit around that fire and be nourished by the host of God’s blessings. There’s room for us next to the two travelers to Emmaus, who felt their hearts kindled by the fire of Christ’s word. Come, Holy Spirit, let your fire melt the frozen parts of our lives, let it chase the chill from us and from our world during this pandemic.

Fr. Michael Kwatera, O.S.B.