Today’s Reading from Lk 3:10-18 tells us what’s coming.
The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none.
And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”
In that way, John the Baptist told people how to live. Once he had given them advice on living their everyday life, they moved to a higher level of concern.
“Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying,
“I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.”
Then, John moved to an even higher level, telling them what’s in store:
“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
His “winnowing fan” separates wheat from chaff. The “winnowing fan” is made of His teaching and instructions, but, most of all, is comprised of His commands, which include: “If you obey My commands you are My friends.” He tells every person clearly. With equal clarity, He commands: “If you do not eat My Body and drink My Blood you do not have life in you.”
Then, He provided one church, saying “Verily, verily I say unto you thou art Peter and on this rock I build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I give you The Keys to The Kingdom of Heaven.”
That Church, The Only Church He Founded, has provided His Body and Blood at every Catholic Mass since He began to change bread and wine into His Body and Blood at The Last Supper.
His winnowing fan – Watch out!, all who choose to disobey His Command “If you do not eat My Body and drink My Blood you do not have life in you.”
