Advent 2A (Matthew 3:1-12)

This Sunday gospel lesson continues the apocalyptic and eschatological theme of the First Sunday of Advent. Think of it as a sequel like Blade Runner (1982) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017) or 28 Days Later (2002) and 28 Weeks Later (2007). If the gospel lesson on the First Sunday of Advent is about the uncertainty of when the end times would take place and how consistent preparedness is crucial, today’s lesson is about what kind of event this eschaton would entail. St. John the Baptizer’s message is clear: “The kingdom of God has come near. Bear fruit worthy of repentance because all will be judged.” Then comes the images of the winnowing fork to sort between wheat and chaff and the unquenchable fire to burn the chaff. 

I sense that most of the end times movies take these images of judgment literalistically. In a typical zombie movie, for example, some are bit by zombies and turn to the undead themselves while others who learn to adapt to a new environment continue to survive and rebuild an apocalyptic civilization. Now, as we observe this Advent season, these images are solely for entertainment. These images might have worked as a fear-marketing strategy to gain Christian converts back in the old days. Yet, I question whether these images perceived by films deepen our spiritual lives. This fear-mongering interpretation of the eschaton doesn’t sound so hopeful as we yearn for the coming of Christ who is the hope incarnate. What changes our hearts, after all, is not the message of fear. It happens when we encounter Christ, the incarnate kingdom of God within ourselves. 

So, I would like to propose a different way of understanding today’s gospel lesson that we can apply to our spiritual practice of contemplation. Let’s pay attention to the verses below and ponder on them as we sit in silence. 

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (3:2)

The word “repent” carries negative connotations. Let’s stick with the Greek term, “metanoia”, the change of the heart, which is translated into repentance in English. This message of St. John is identical to the good news Jesus proclaims. It’s not so much about changing one’s mind or perspective. Here, its subject matter is the kingdom of heaven. It has come near and has always been that way. So, we need to change where we look at. Don’t look outside. Turn our view internally and inwardly. The kingdom of God, the eternal, unconditional, and deathless presence of God is within. 

“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” (3:11b-12)

Baptism assures and ascertains the inner dwelling of the Spirit. The element of fire isn’t much discussed. Fire in this context is unquenchable. It is the fire of the Spirit that purifies. In the presence of the Spirit within, pick up Christ’s winnowing fork to sort out the wheat from the chaff. The chaff here is all our unskillful behaviors, and the wheat is all the skillful behaviors that we would like to continue. The chaff will be burned with the Spirit’s unquenchable fire which is operated through our precepts of love of God and neighbor and conscience. To distinguish the wheat from the chaff, we sit in silence and have a long, loving, and judicious look at our behaviors. In contemplation, we face our motives and intentions of words and deeds and examine how we respond or react to each action. ask ourselves, “Is that action skillful or unskillful? Does it bring me instant gratification or long-term happiness?” We acknowledge and accept our failures and shortcomings without unfairly judging our self-worth yet fervently motivate ourselves for the better. Without this spiritual muscle which is gained from meditation or sitting in silence in the presence of God, we have no strength to hold the winnowing fork and to toss the stalks and heads of grain into the air, in the face of the breath of God. 

“Bear fruit worthy of repentance.” (3:8)

Set our expectations high in this Advent season. Hope for changes. We will certainly bear fruit worthy of the change of the heart and get ready to enjoy it. Be nourished by that fruit. This spiritual nourishment will deepen our process of metanoia. 

As night becomes longer, may we open up our contemplative eyes to see the light coming nearer to our hearts.