SCRIPTURE
LUKE 3:2-18
The Preaching of John the Baptist.
During the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,* the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. He went throughout [the] whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:
A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, all shall see the salvation of God.”
John said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruits as evidence of your repentance; and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?”
He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two tunics should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed. ”Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”
Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan* is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.
REFLECTION
John’s baptism did not remove sin like our sacramental Baptism but it was a way for people to express their sorrow for their sins and fall on God’s mercy. John’s call to “Prepare the way of the Lord” is a clarion call to all of us.
In order to receive Jesus into our hearts we must repent of our sins, detach ourselves from those things that prevent Jesus’ full entry into our hearts.
I am struck how John the Baptist called out those hypocrites that were coming for a get out of jail card but were not interested in changing their lifestyle. John told them first produce some good fruit. Do we produce good fruit in our family?…in our parish?….in our work place?
John the Baptist warns the crowd, “Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire”
he Crowd then asks John what they must do. John foreshadows The Judgment of Nations discourse Matthew 25 by giving examples of loving your neighbor and treating them with mercy and generosity. Can we love that neighbor we can’t we really stand? Praying for someone we consider our enemy can help.
The crowd begin to wonder if John is the Messiah. No, John is not the Messiah but the Messiah is coming soon. The Messiah will come and separate the wheat from the chaff. At the Last Judgment He will, “gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. Are we ready for Jesus coming in this life and the next?
SCRIPTURE
LUKE 3: 21-22
The Baptism of Jesus.
After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying,* heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
REFLECTIONS
John the Baptist proclaims a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins….John’s baptism does not forgive sins but prepares the hearts of people to acknowledge their need for repentance and readies them for God’s mercy that the Savior promises. .Jesus is that Savior that John the Baptist points to Behold the Lamb of God!
Jesus is that sacrificial lamb who will sacrifice himself for us that our sins may be forgiven. In the water of the Jordan, Jesus takes on the sins of the world… sin has no more dominion over mankind…Jesus became sin that we might become righteous. 2 Corinthians 5:21
The Spirit of God descended like a dove in blessing and affirmation…The Father affirms the Son’s mission…”This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased…Here is your Savior!
Our sacramental Baptism is a cleansing of our sins, and infusion of sanctifying grace making us adopted sons and daughters of Our Father and heirs to heaven. All Christians are commissioned through their baptism to be other “Christs” in this world. God calls us to conform to Christ and reject Satan and all his works and empty promises.
Not only are we washed in the waters of Baptism, we are anointed with the sacred chrism oil to be a holy priesthood. 1Peter 2:5. At the anointing of sacred chrism oil, the priest or deacon says these words, “ “As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing everlasting life.”
As the common priesthood of the laity we offer sacrifices, at Mass and in our personal life for others. As prophet we bear witness in words and actions to Jesus being the Way the Truth and the Life. And as king we serve others especially those most in need. We live “in this world but not of it.” We spread light in the dark spots by breathing in those nooks and crannies the spirit of love and mercy of Jesus Christ!