Sitting Around the Fire: Sharing the Warmth of the Lord

This is just a separate reflection of my Safari mission in Kasweta, as we normally do when I am around.

As evening comes, with all the children and some families nearby, we sit around the fire and pray the Rosary. It is a beautiful image to see everybody sitting around the fire, praying, singing songs of Mary.
I have this imagination of Jesus and His disciples, sitting around the fire as Jesus is teaching and telling stories. They didn’t have electricity yet and by custom, fire plays a very important role in community setting. People get energy from His presence and drawn very much into His life. I am pretty much sure that they get warmth from the fire, but also the spiritual fire/warmth that Jesus had.

I don’t want to compare my mission in Kasweta as in the time of Jesus, I am nothing in comparison. But I could very much relate! I am relating the activities, the stories, sitting around, seriously listening to Him, the prayer with our fellow Christians, meeting, joking and getting warmth and energy from each other after their long day of work in the field.

Sitting around the fire is a time of relaxation but also for the community, pleasure and recreation, laughter and prayer. Sitting around the fire is the time for spiritual food.

I always find Kasweta a very unique mission in spite of the poverty of people (at times, extreme poverty), with no priest for 8 months every year because of the rainy season and the flood, which makes it impossible to cross the park. They remain isolated, but intact! They remain happy Catholics and strong believers.

Our simple bonfire and the activities within is a manifestation of God’s presence, love and care for His people. The bonfire gathers the community as another dimension of their daily living. Ours is special. With us visitors, priests and the whole team, the gathering around the fire is a gathering of followers. The stories are at times presented in songs and dances, drums and comical skits. The drums give meaning, the claps and the cheers and laughter are very essential!

These are just consequences of a bonfire, a gathering of family and friends. It can produce strong family union, prayer life and community living. Why not try it in your own family and community!!!!! You may revive drooping spirits when you pray together around the fire and share the warmth of the Lord in your prayers.