“What should we do?” the crowds ask St. John the Baptist after he announces the coming of the Messiah. Indeed, what would we do if we were told that the Second Coming of Jesus was imminent? Hopefully we would do as those in the Gospel are told to do: be charitable, and avoid sin. Why?
“…because the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
The Messiah is coming for the harvest, to “…gather the wheat into his barn,” to put up for safekeeping that for which He labored: what is not the fruit of His labor will be rid of by fire, such that it cannot remain. How do we become as this “wheat?” Jesus says elsewhere “… unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life,” (John 12:24-25). Notice what John tells the people: to the selfish he says, “Die to yourself, and give your surplus to the dying that they may live.” To the tax collector “Die to yourself, and collect only the amount of which you are accountable.” To the soldier, “Die to yourself, and use not your strength for your own gain but serve as you are paid to.” If they can die to themselves, they can be fruitful for Him who said to His friends, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain…” (John 15:16).
When He comes again, shall we have fruit to offer Him; shall we be gathered into His barn? Can we deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him, that by losing our life we might find it in Him? (Matthew 16:24-25)? For the King is coming; we know not when. We have been baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire: let us burn with love for Him, that the whole world may be alight at His return!