The fire of the Holy Spirit in its confronatiation and somewhat eschatological components is difficult to grasp In our own ecclesial culture and in our modern media culture. The Church in the United States is largely ineffective in speaking with a prophetic voice for a variety of reasons and as a result of much modern history. In some circles the most prophetic thing to say has to do with a confrontation against a certain traditionalist mentality of fear and a political culture of fear and anger. Perhaps the “cloud of witnesses” motif in Hebrews helps focus the readings. Perhaps the question may be to ask ourselves how we too can be saints in this particularly discouraging culture.
OT 20 C Lectionary Catechesis
