John the Baptist appeared preaching in the desert of Judea saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” What image comes to mind when we envision God’s kingdom? For the early church, there was the hope that Jesus would soon restore the sovereignty of Israel but with the destruction of the temple and the passing of time, that dream faded. The anticipation then became the majestic return of Jesus Christ and the last judgment at the end of time. The idealism painted by Isaiah some 700 years before the birth of Christ, which many call the peaceable kingdom, provides yet another image of God’s kingdom.
Doesn’t that sounds so nice? Isaiah paints for us a world free of violence and bloodshed; a world that brings together traditional enemies in the animal kingdom will also bring together traditional enemies among humans: Israelis and Palestinians, Muslims and Christians, Native Americans and Americans of European descent, to name but a few.
On that day, there will be peace on earth! But what needs to happen before God’s kingdom actually arrives on the scene? John the Baptist tells anyone who would listen, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” That sounds like a disturbing dire warning since he then adds, “every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” But actually, he is giving us a lesson in logic. If we truly repent, we will experience the kingdom of God! So long as we remain mired in our sinful ways, however, God’s peaceable kingdom remains an elusive dream.
Paul points out, “Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” So true, everything necessary for our salvation has been done. There is no need for any new revelation from God but we can be such slow learners to grasp what has already been revealed! Imagine how different our world would be today if Christians of past generations had continually endeavored to set an example of repentance for others to follow. How different could our world become now if we would repent in the manner that John the Baptist has in mind?
We are fooling ourselves if the reprimand that John the Baptist levels at the Pharisees and the Scribes does not concern us. Matthew knew that all Christians, including you and me, needed to hear the same message. “Your brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.”
The repentance that he calls for demands more than an apology. John is calling for the reshaping of our inner self. Prayer is an essential tool for doing so, helping us to chip away at whatever we cling to that blocks us from God.
There are serious consequences if his call to repentance is not heeded. John points out that any tree that does not bear fruit will be cut down at its root and thrown into the fire. Such strong language is meant to get our attention. Like a mother warning her child not to touch the hot burner on the stove, John speaks in shocking ways to startle us into action.
He has no patience for those who are not sincere in their quest to repent. Isaiah describes what good fruit looks like: all creatures and the whole creation existing in peaceful harmony. There is justice and compassion for all, especially for those most afflicted. The kingdom will emerge when the followers of Christ the King endeavor to advance it.
The Greek word that Matthew uses for repentance is metanoia, which means to “change the mind.” This is not a shift of preference among choices, as the phrase means today, but is best understood as “change your attitude.” Take on a new mindset. That may seem like a tall order but it can be done. Total repentance, as these readings point out, can be achieved but it takes time and effort like breaking bad habits do such as smoking, gossip or pornography to taking on a new routine like exercise and daily prayer.
Complacency toward our need to repent could describe the mindset of many Catholics, who think that being one is the key for getting into heaven. Are we riding on the coattails of tradition like the Pharisees did whom John rebuked? Just as he cautioned the Pharisees, we are not to do so. Ignore John’s call to repentance and you could find yourself swept along with the chaff into the unquenchable fire.
A traveling artist was painting portraits at an art festival. One of his customers was the town drunk. Despite his dirty unshaven face and crumpled clothes, he sat for his portrait with all the dignity he could muster. After much time, the artist presented the finished painting. “This isn’t me!” the astonished drunk slurred as he studied the smiling, well-dressed man in the portrait. The artist, who had looked beneath the exterior and seen his inner beauty, thoughtfully replied, “But it is the man you could be….”
The artist’s reply offers us a message of hope, doesn’t it? Imagine who you really could be if you followed John’s plea and repented. Old anger and bitter resentments litter our paths, as do potholes of pride and jealousy, which impede our safe faith journey. If we want to welcome salvation into our troubled world, we must first clear our paths of the obstacles that prevent Jesus from entering into our hearts. In the weeks ahead, repent, prepare the way of the Lord and make straight his paths.