Reflection for Second Sunday of Epiphany – the baptism of the Lord
“His winnowing fork is in his hand the clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” Luke 3:17
I’m watching the remnant of Cyclone Seth buffet tree branches early in the week with a new appreciation after learning how ancient Eastern harvesting practices used a judicious amount of good wind to separate wheat seeds from stalks.
First of all, the gathered grain from a variety of fields was placed on a large and open space – the threshing floor - usually located on or near a hill. Cattle were then yoked together and led over the grain, their hooves crushing the stalks which released the seeds.
The mixture was then winnowed – using a large hand-held fork. The mixture was tossed up into the air where the wind did its work. The lighter chaff was usually blown away, followed by the straw. The heavier seeds, the wheat grain, fell back down again to the floor.
This process was repeated again and again until the wind blew little of the air-borne mixture away. This final mixture on the threshing floor contained three levels – the bottom rich in seeds, the second straw and the top layer chaff. Final separation of the three levels was done by hand sieving.
The straw could be used further. The remaining chaff was of no use and was disposed of by burning.
On the surface, it would appear that John’s description of the work of the Messiah to the gathered Israelites in Luke’s gospel sounds more like a warning than good news of the kingdom of God being close at hand.
“He will baptize you with Holy Spirit and fire.” Luke 3:16c
But he was foretelling of the Holy Spirit, the wind that would be blowing through God’s gathered people coming for baptism, cleansing and purifying with a final fire. And the end result was a closeness to God – the gathering of the wheat into his barn.
Treasured precious seed.
As the weeks and the Omicron strain progress we may feel like we are being buffeted by an ill wind that continually changes. In this truly unsettling time we hold onto the promise of God who is faithful and who has promised that in our baptism in Christ Jesus we are the most treasured seed, called to grow and spread the good news that no matter what happens God is truly with us all.
So we hold on to this promise, sisters and brothers in Christ. And pray for all people who call Australia home as we negotiate the new reality we face.
Blessings
Ceri
