Game can no longer parse single function in item modifier JSON file, only array

When attempting to load item modifier JSON files, files that contain a single function in a function tag as opposed to multiple functions in an array, an error returns:

" Couldn't parse element item_modifiers:spells:spell_lore/fire - Not a json array: {"function":"minecraft:set_lore","entity":"this","lore":[

{"text":"Be prolific","color":"purple"}

]} "

the text file, fire.json, attached used to be contained in a single element array through versions 1.18 to current. Recently the game cannot parse that nor the single function not contained in an array. 

two files included: fire.json - return error

change_lore.json - no error