Readings: Zep. 3:14-18; Phil. 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18
What Would You Like to Ask John?
1. Today is the third Sunday of Advent. On this day, we wear a rose-colored chasuble and light the rose-colored Advent candle. The Entrance Antiphon taken from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians reads, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.” Yes, indeed, there are less than two weeks to Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Christ, the Incarnation, and the salvation of the world. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (Jn. 3:16). We must rejoice, not because everything is perfect, but because despite the deplorable condition of the world and its sinful nature, God deems it fit to come to our rescue through his Son, born of a woman to redeem humanity and reconcile us to himself. The birth of Christ will bring us joy, peace, and happiness. But we must prepare for his coming by a life of repentance so that He may find us waiting in expectation for him. John the Baptist is still in the desert, calling us to repent, to a change of heart. He tells us to change the trajectory of our lives. Good deeds must accompany our repentance.
2. Those who went to see John and heard his preaching were touched by his message. They wanted to know what practical bearing such a change of disposition might have on their lives (what should we do?). John told them that heeding the call to conversion implies a change in one’s lifestyle. He answered the persistent questions of their hearts and called the crowds, the tax collectors, and the soldiers to a new way of relating to others. John’s answer to ‘what should we do?’ was: “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. Whoever has food should do likewise.”According to John, we must share what we have with others, especially those who do not have as much as we do. The love of God is made manifest through sharing. The early Christians lived a life of sharing: “The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possession was his own, but they had everything in common. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or house would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.” (Acts 4:32-35). Christ reminds us that we will be judged on love: whatever you did for the least of my people, you did it for me. (cf. Mt. 25:31-46).
3. The tax collectors who wanted to know what to do, were told: “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” It was important that tax collectors also be baptized in preparation for the Messiah. Tax collectors were detested and discriminated against as the instruments of the Roman occupying power and seen by their fellow Jews to be extortionists. John told them to live in social justice with their compatriots, avoiding the corruption that typified their profession, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you”. The Messiah has no discrimination: He prevents or excludes no one from his presence. John put it well thus, “He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave the power to become children of God.” (John 1:11). John the Baptist assured the tax collectors that living a life of grace would guarantee them a place in the new dispensation brought about by the Messiah.
4. Soldiers, too, wanted John to help them out. Soldiers were serving in the army of Herod Antipas as police. They supported the tax collectors in levying tolls and duties. John urged them not to shake people down. Though they were poorly paid and used their positions to extort money from people and intimidate them with trumped-up charges, they were to change their approach to their duties. “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone. Be satisfied with your wages.” It seems soldiers are given the same treatment everywhere, and they too use their positions to force people to submission. John reminded them that having a new life means having a different outlook on things and people. By treating people fairly, with justice, love, and compassion, we experience peace and joy.
5. On this Gaudete Sunday, we rejoice and celebrate for, “The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness and renew you in his love, He will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.” Christ, our life has come into the world; therefore, we must live, love, and laugh. His birth brings us life; we celebrate life because he lives. Life makes it possible to love; we love and laugh because God is in our midst. So dear friends, let us do something that will bring joy, laughter, and happiness to somebody’s life today. Let us give something to someone this Christmas that will bring a smile to their faces, no matter how small. For in sharing our joy with others, we experience God’s love. St. Francis tells us that it is in giving that we receive. May we give a gift of love to someone this day so that they may live, love, and laugh, for Jesus, the greatest gift giver, is in our midst. May God bless us today and always. Amen!
Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP
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