Good News?

Third Sunday in Advent

Luke 3:7-18
John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.

Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?"In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise."

Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?"
 He said to them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you."

Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what should we do?" He said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages."

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

Reflection:  Remember the conversations you have had that started out with “Well, I have good news and I have bad news.  Which do you want to hear first?”  Depending upon your state of mind or your level of tolerance you will make your choice.  As for me, I usually want the bad news first.  There is something about ending on a “good note” that seems to alleviate whatever angst was generated by the bad news. 

Well, perhaps John was the precursor to the master motivational speaker.  He went about calling folks hypocrites and vipers.  He said that they needed to change their practices and priorities. And he said that they were facing the approach of torment and terrible death if they did not listen. 

And yet, scripture says that the final word of his proclamation is “good news”.  Something terrible in its intensity, relentless in its capacity to remove everything excessive and toxic is coming your way. 

What’s your initial response to the words and counsel of John the Baptist?  How do his specific directives confront your lifestyle?  Are his words good news or bad news for you? 

Prayer:  Stir up the wills of your faithful people Lord God, and open our hearts to your call to change.  Expose our awareness of where and how we have chosen to retain our abundance rather than giving to others with radical generosity.  Amen.