"Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire!"

"Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire!"

This beautiful verse is found in the responsorial psalm of the daily readings for today, the feast of Saint Clare. In reading it this morning, another recent verse from the daily readings came to mind: "As Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the commandments in his hands, he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while he conversed with the LORD." ~ Exodus 34:29

Do you know someone who just seems to radiate the love, joy, and peace of Christ? They seem not to know that they do it, but somehow, through their words and actions, they radiate Christ. I believe that this "radiation" is caused by the "fire" that is spoken of today in the responsorial psalm. When one is on fire for God, they cannot help but spread His Love to all they meet.

I met a priest like this, once. He smiled at me from a distance away, in a room filled with a thousand teenagers, and immediately I felt that Christ was with Him, smiling through him. It has impacted me deeply and made me realize what an immense and individual love that our Father has for us. And I really don't think the priest knew how deeply his smile impacted me. Just like Moses, he was radiant with the love and presence of God. He didn't have to do anything special. All he did was smile. When we allow God to set our souls on fire with His divine love and grace, amazing things will happen in our lives and in the lives of those we encounter.

So, how can we, as teenagers, radiate this amazing joy? How can our own souls be set on fire with Christ's love?

If we look to other places in Scripture, we will easily find the answer.

Psalm 34:5- " "Those who look to him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed."

Look to God. It's as simple as that. Look to God and you will be radiant with joy. When we look to God in all things, finding His presence in the simple, ordinary things of life, we cannot help but radiate joy. Christ will dwell in us, and us in Him, and He will shine His light to the world through us.

Lord Jesus, I look to You. I ask you to come and set my soul on fire and make me radiant with joy. Dwell in me and work through me that more souls may be set on fire for love of You. You, O Lord, are my joy!