Lord, I see what the Holy Spirit is like
as I gather the garbage to burn in the fire.
I try to keep the fire burning continually;
nevertheless there are times when it seems
that the fire has gone out completely,
but I know that underneath, a few embers continue to burn.
I think humanity is like the garbage and the Holy Spirit is like the fire.
Just as I gather the garbage to burn in the fire
so may your church gather together humanity
and put it in contact with the Spirit
to purify it until it is no longer garbage.
May the church never lose hope,
even when the fire cannot be seen
and the garbage is plentiful.
May we be convinced that the fire continues to burn below
and that it will never go out.
after words shared by a Garbage man in South America
A Procession of Prayers, edited by John Carden
as I gather the garbage to burn in the fire.
I try to keep the fire burning continually;
nevertheless there are times when it seems
that the fire has gone out completely,
but I know that underneath, a few embers continue to burn.
I think humanity is like the garbage and the Holy Spirit is like the fire.
Just as I gather the garbage to burn in the fire
so may your church gather together humanity
and put it in contact with the Spirit
to purify it until it is no longer garbage.
May the church never lose hope,
even when the fire cannot be seen
and the garbage is plentiful.
May we be convinced that the fire continues to burn below
and that it will never go out.
after words shared by a Garbage man in South America
A Procession of Prayers, edited by John Carden
_____________________________
John answered their questions by saying,
“I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
