Thought for the Week

Fr. David Pickett, St Oswald's Parish Church

Guiseley

THERE have been many tragedies involving fire in the United Kingdom throughout the ages, from the Great Fire of London in 1666, to the Bradford City Stadium fire in 1985 to name but two. And the latest tragedy at Grenfell Towers will unfortunately now be remembered in the same vain as those that have gone before.

As a people of faith we have always respected fire, not just because of its properties to bring light and warmth, but also because of its theological representation through scripture. Fire is a necessary part of life; it does - as said - bring light and warmth, but it also has other practical uses in everyday life such as cooking, purification and protection. Sadly, as we have recently witnessed, it can also bring destruction in the most devastating of ways.

But as well as being a force of destruction, fire can also bring about new life; this is often witnessed after a forest fire, where new and abundant life springs forth from the ash of the forest floor. Fire is also used as a metaphor in the Biblical Book of James when it says: ‘…the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!’ This passage talks about the spoken word, and how language can be both healing and destructive, resembling a wild fire that burns everything in its path if not kept in check.

Fire is a powerful tool that can both create and take life. It has many practical uses, and is seen by many people of faith as a powerful representation of God. However, unlike God, it can be very damaging if not respected and contained, as we have so heartbreakingly witnessed in London recently. Like the Spirit of God that brings life to all and does not discriminate, so too does fire not discriminate. It doesn't care who you are or what you are, it will consume you and devastate you without a second thought.

So in a paradoxical way we see fire as both bringing life, but also taking life in the most horrific of circumstances. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those caught up in the Grenfell Towers tragedy and others who have been adversely affected by fire.