There is a quote from the prophet Isaiah in today’s gospel that says, “A voice of one crying out in the desert, prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” John the Baptist fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy by preaching in the desert and baptizing the people who came to him from the surrounding areas. While the people were being baptized they acknowledged their sins. However, John was not too happy with the Pharisees and Sadducces when he saw them. Their reputation preceded them, and John called for the Pharisees and Sadducces to “produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.” Anyone could claim to be Abraham’s children. This wasn’t enough to save them from the fires of hell, no matter what the sentiment was in their hearts at the moment. John the Baptist called them to put their change of heart, into a change in their actions.
This is something as Catholics, we need to get better at doing as well. Just because we were born Catholic, or we have been a convert for many years, doesn’t mean we should get too comfortable in assuming that our salvation is assured either, even if we do go to mass every Sunday. The Pharisees and Sadducces also worshiped in the temple on the sabbath every week, but neither John the Baptist, nor Christ himself was pleased with them.
Just going through the motions of attending mass each week isn’t good enough for Jesus. John the Baptist was on fire with the Holy Spirit. There was nothing mediocre about him. He didn’t care very much about his personal appearance, or what he ate, or about his own personal comfort. He loved the Lord. This is what we remember his life by. What will others remember your life by? What actions have you done to show your love for the Lord lately? This is the main theme of the gospel today. John the Baptist gives all of us, a very harsh warning to produce good fruit, or else …
However, harsh warnings are not the only things to be gleaned from today’s readings for mass. The first reading and the gospel both talk about the Lord dealing harshly with the wicked and removing them from his sight. But, those who are left that love Him, will be greatly blessed. In heaven, there will not be wicked people. No one will steal, murder, commit adultery against us, or abuse or mistreat us in any way. Peace will reign. Love will reign. All divisions will evaporate, when the wicked are no longer among us.
Advent is a season of hope for everyone though, the wicked included. John the Baptist did not outright condemn the wicked Pharisees and Sadducces, but called for them to produce fruits to demonstrate their repentance and worthiness to be accepted into the Lord’s kingdom.
The last verse in today’s gospel sounds very harsh, yet is also very hopeful. “His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” The awesome part of this gospel is the thought that all of us are the Lord’s “wheat”. If you think about it, we are exactly that, because of the communion bread we eat at mass each week. We consume the host made from wheat every week and we belong to the Lord, because we carry him in our bodies. The people who reject Jesus do not. They are empty shells. We can pray for them, though.
However, we need to come to a place of acceptance that not everyone will inherit the kingdom of God. It is out of our control who will, or will not be, accepted into the kingdom of God. But, with all sin and evil removed from our lives, every living thing will be at peace and live in harmony in our Father’s kingdom.
The first reading for mass today explains our true goal in life. It would be a very good thing to keep in mind this advent season. “The wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them.”
Maybe we could resolve to let a little child guide us through the season of advent too? May our eyes and hearts remain focused on the little baby that will be born on Christmas eve. He was so tiny, but baby Jesus has the power to heal the whole world. The innocence, holiness, peace, tranquility and joy of Christmas can be such a healing thing for all of us, but also for those that Christ has not yet “tamed”. Maybe we could invite someone like that to come to mass with us this Christmas? This would be the most excellent gift that we could offer to baby Jesus.
Is 11: 1-10
Ps 72
Mt 3: 1-12
