2Lửa Thiêng Thánh Thể (Eucharistic Fire Ring)

Objective Recognize the symbolism of fire in Holy

Scripture. Understand the purpose of the Eucharistic

Fire Ring in TNTT activities.

Fact Finding Fire is familiar to everyone, yet no one definition can completely describe what it is or capture all of its meanings (some dictionaries define it as a ‘phenomenon’). We rely on it for everyday tasks like cooking and heating, but fire also carries a deeper meaning. Many religions throughout the world use it rituals as a physical symbol for sacredness. In Christianity, fire has some unique symbolism in Holy Scripture as well as Liturgy.

Symbolism of Fire in the Old Testament

The Presence of Yaweh (the Lord) When God gave Moses the duty of freeing

the Israelites from Egypt, He appeared as fire in the burning bush.

When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, He appeared as a glorious fire that shine throughout the mountain top.

When the Israelites were wandering in the desert for 40 years, God led them with a pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. (Exodus 13:21).

Ceremonial Offerings After the angel of the Lord stopped Abraham

from sacrificing Isaac, Abraham caught a

ram and made a burnt offering to the Lord. (Genesis 7:13-14).

After Noah survived the Great Flood, he built an altar and made an offering to the Lord (Genesis 8:19-21).

When Elijah wanted to prove that the Lord is the true God, he built an altar and asked God to burn the his offering. (1 Kings 18:20-26)

God’s power and punishment of sinners. After Adam & Eve sinned, God banished

them from the Garden of Eden and used a flaming sword to guard the Tree of Life. (Genesis 3:21-24)

God punished Sodom and Gomorrah by raining burning sulfur causing dense smoke to rise from the land.

Symbolism of Fire in the New Testament

Word of God affects the hearts of menAfter Jesus appeared to the two disciples on the road the Emmaus, they described the sensation they felt as having their hearts burning within them when the Scripture was opened to them. (Luke 24:30-32).

The Holy SpiritWhen the Holy Spirit first appeared to the apostles, tongues of fire separated and rested on each of them. (Acts 2:3-4).

Symbolisms of Fire in Liturgy

“Lumen Christi”On Easter Vigil, the priest (or deacon) lights the Paschal Candle, and signs the words “Lumen Christi”. This ritual symbolizes the Light of Christ as a spiritual source, which ignites our hearts, destroys the darkness, and wards off the devils and demons. Fire on Easter Vigil lights up to drive away sin and cleanse its blemish so that the sinners are purified given new life.

The Eucharistic Fire Ring

The Eucharistic Fire Ring is a unique activity often used in camping trips and training for leaders (Team

Captains, Huynh Truongs). It is both a Spiritual and Natural method.

Spiritual Purpose

With the significance of fire in Holy Scripture and Liturgy, the fire that appears in the Eucharistic Fire Ring is no ordinary fire. It is sacred and connects the participants to one another. Even though we are in the wilderness, away from the comforts and order of civilization, God is still present with us through the fire. We offer all of our joys and hardships of the day as a burnt offering to Him (just as Abraham and Noah did), so that He will bring us warmth and peace.

The skits are also a useful way of educating people about the Bible’s stories and the morals contained in them. The content of the skits are often passages from the Bible or Stories inspired by the Bible. The performances serve a way of bringing Holy Scripture alive and making it relevant to modern times.

Natural Purpose

The act of preparing and performing the skits not only help members understand the Scripture, but also develop desirable qualities. The skits often serve as a medium where members can apply their creativity and learn public-speaking/presentation skills.

Summary Fire is a common and familiar occurrence but

also has a deep meaning in Holy Scripture Fire is often used to symbolize the presence

of God Fire has strong symbolism in Liturgy TNTT uses the Eucharistic Fire Ring to

educate its members as well as help them feel closer to God.

Homework

1. Besides the examples in this lesson, find three more examples of the symbolism of fire in Holy Scripture.

2. In those examples, what does fire represent? How is the fire being used?

3. When you participated in the Eucharistic Fire Ring before, did you ever feel a strong connection to God and to other participants? Why or why not?

4. How does the Eucharistic Fire Ring help us Spiritually?

5. How does the Eucharistic Fire Ring help us Naturally?