Third Sunday of Advent – Cycle C
Reflecting on Luke 3: 10-18
I like to imagine what John the Baptist would say to us if he saw us standing in line at the Jordan. “What should we do?” asked the crowd that had followed him into the wilderness.
He looked at each one and told them what particular thing was keeping them from the fulfilling the Law in their own lives. “Stop cheating.” “Stop extorting.” “Stop hoarding what you’ve got.”
Hmm. So what would he say to us? Imagine the Baptizer encountering us, leveling his refiner’s fire at us. I suspect we would hear things like, “Stop being anxious. Your heavenly Father knows what you need.”
Or, “Stop working so hard to provide things. Your family needs YOU more than things.” Or maybe, “Stop secretly harboring grudges. Accept the grace to be healed of ancient wounds.”
Here’s an Advent assignment: imagine being face to face with the Baptist. What would he require of you before plunging you in the water?
What would YOU like to say about this question, or today’s readings, or any of the columns from the past year? The sacred conversations are setting a Pentecost fire! Register here today and join the conversation.
I have come to light a fire on the earth; how I wish it were already burning (Lk.12:49).