Refiner's Fire
ChatGPT-4o/DALL-E3, 2024-11-13
My dear friends,
In this season of Advent, as Christians prepare for the coming of Christ, let us enter a period of reflection and purification. We are invited to prepare our hearts as sacred vessels for the coming of love and wisdom into our lives. In Malachi's prophecy, we find a vivid description of this transformative process, which, like the path of a Bodhisattva, is marked by purification, dedication, and compassionate service.
and he shall prepare the way before me:
and the LORD, whom ye seek,
shall suddenly come to his temple,
even the messenger of the covenant,
whom ye delight in:
behold, he shall come,
saith the LORD of hosts.
- Malachi 3:1 (KJV)
The messenger who "prepares the way" is a powerful archetype, one who stands in the space between the divine and the human. In the Bodhisattva tradition, this figure can be seen as one who has dedicated their heart to awakening for the benefit of all beings. This messenger opens the path for others, bringing the teachings of wisdom and compassion. Like John the Baptist, who calls us to prepare our lives for the coming of Christ, the Bodhisattva path calls us to clear away our obstacles and set our intentions upon a path of love.
for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:
- Malachi 3:2 (KJV)
But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming
The “refiner’s fire” and “fuller’s soap” are images of cleansing and transformation, purging us of impurities. On the Bodhisattva path, we understand that our own flaws and attachments are the very fuel for spiritual growth. Through purification — through facing our shadows, attachments, and fears — we are transformed. We are stripped down to our true nature, which is love, clarity, and boundless compassion. To “stand” before this fire requires courage, but it is the fire of love and wisdom that purifies us, preparing us for a life of selfless service.
and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver,
that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
- Malachi 3:3 (KJV)
And He Shall Purify
Here, we see that the process of purification is not hasty or careless; the refiner sits attentively, patiently, watching over the process. The Bodhisattva, too, undertakes a careful, deliberate journey of inner purification. In Buddhism, this is known as “training the mind” (lojong) through practices that cultivate compassion and wisdom. As we purify, we transform our selfish desires and fears into a radiant offering of righteousness, one that is offered to all beings as an expression of love and liberation. The purified heart becomes the offering, embodying the presence of divine love and wisdom.
as in the days of old, and as in former years.
- Malachi 3:4 (KJV)
When the heart is refined and purified, it is ready to serve as an offering. Like the enlightened heart of the Bodhisattva, a heart purified of self-centeredness shines forth in humble service. This is the "pleasant offering" mentioned by Malachi: a heart free of impurities, devoted to the well-being of others, a love that transcends all boundaries. This heart is like a shining mirror of silver, ready to take in the sufferings of the world and reflect back the beauty of compassion and righteousness.
As we journey through Advent, may we each undergo this holy process of refinement. Let us allow the fire of love to purify our hearts, and let us make an offering of our lives, a sacred gift of compassion, wisdom, and service. Let our minds and hearts become sanctuaries for the Divine, embodying the Christ-like compassion of the Bodhisattva, illuminating the world with boundless love.