Purification: The Refiner's Fire

Malachi 3: 1-4

In this reading we have the beautiful image of the refiner's fire. "...He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi..." A refiner's fire does not consume like a typical fire. A refiner's fire purifies. A refiner's fire removes the impurities. A refiner's fire changes the substance without consuming it's essence. This is what Jesus does for us if we allow him to work on our inside...our very essence. He can remove the impurities, our sins, if we but come to him. To me gives new meaning to the verse from the Emmaus gospel; "...Were not our hearts burning?" We must have this burning desire in our hearts for God to purify us in spite of the pain we may experience.

Most people have a healthy fear and respect for the flame of fire. This thought of the Lord refining our soul may be a frightening image to contemplate. Giving up our sin can be a painful frightening decision. We are often comfortable remaining in our sins especially if we think they are not effecting others. Which of course is not true since we are all a part of the Body of Christ.

Only the Divine Refiner can purify our souls and lead us to the kingdom of God. Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.

There is a beautiful song called The Refiner's Fire check out YouTube later.

Luke 2: 22-40

The reading from the gospel of Luke also touches on purification. In ancient times a woman had to wait for a prescribes length of time before she was allowed to return to the temple. Mary's purification is complete so she and Joseph can now present their son to the Lord in the temple. Within the temple is where they encounter the devout man, Simeon. Simeon had been patiently waiting for many years to see the Christ of the Lord. He receives the child, Jesus into his open hands. We have the opportunity to open our hands and receive Jesus each time we receive Eucharist.

Simeon reveals to Mary that her life will be filled with sadness. The immense sadness as we know of losing her son, Jesus, in the most public, cruel, and humiliating way...the crucifixion. How would you feel if a perfect stranger told you your heart would be pierced by a sword? I can only imagine how Mary must have felt hearing those words and looking at her beloved son.

I wonder how she was able to put those words out of her mind and continue to go about the daily tasks of her life? I know from experience it is hard not to constantly focus on those things which are disturbing, especially when they concern those you love or yourself.

Did Anna, the temple prophetess, come forward to comfort Mary? At eighty-four Anna had gained the wisdom and compassion of having lived much life. She had know the sorrow and pain of losing her husband seven years prior.

Out of pain and suffering great joy can come forth not just for Jesus by his Resurrection, but us as well. We do not know what joy can come from the refiner's fire. We do know what joy can come as a result from our pain and suffering.

Some things are meant to be kept in your heart.

Wisdom 3: 6-7

 "...As gold in the furnace, he proved them...he took them to himself...in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through the stubble..."

In eternity we shall dart about like sparks purified by The Refiner's Holy Fire.

I chose the original image of a burning fire because a refiner does make use of the consuming flames.

This kaleidoscope image to me captures the purification as white sparks coming from within the the pure center of God's love for us.

Where does your life need purification?