Sunday, December 16, 2018 - 3rd Sunday of Advent

Reference - Advent Gospel Reflection. Word on Fire. Bishop Robert Barron. 2018

Luke 3:1 0- 1 8

The crowds asked John the Baptist, "What should we do?" He said to them in reply, "Whoever has two cloaks 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 Christ. 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

Like those in the times of John the Baptist, we ask: "What should we do?" How should we live our lives?" These questions, of course, tells us something about repentance: that it has to do with action more than simply changing our minds. The spiritual life is, finally, a set of behaviors.

So what does John the Baptist tell us to do? His first recommendation is this: "Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none." This is so basic, so elemental - yet so almost thoroughly ignored! In the Church's social teaching, we find a constant reminder that although private property is a social good, the use of our private property must always have a social orientation.

We need to apply John's message of caring and sharing. In the light of John the Baptist's advice, we might consider what we can share with others this Christmas. John does not ask us to give everything we have but only to share - to adopt an abandoned baby, perhaps, or to offer a meal to a hungry person, or to visit a sick neighbor, or to share in the funeral expenses of a poor neighbor, to practice active love and compassion, and to have social awareness.

Further, we must do an honest job. It means that a teacher should value his students and reach out to them, doctors and nurses should treat their patients with attentiveness and understanding, attorneys should be defenders of justice for all, lawmakers should listen to the needs of their constituents, citizens should exercise their right to vote justly, workers should do a just day's work for their pay and employers should pay fair wages without discrimination, a married man or woman should give the spouse the first place in his or her heart, an employee should entertain his customers well, working honestly for the hours they are paid, and we should help the government by paying our taxes properly.

An early Church Father, St. Basil the Great, expressed these ideas in tones that echo John the Baptist: "The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry. The cloak in your wardrobe belongs to the naked. The shoes you allow to rot belong to the barefoot. The money in your vaults belongs to the destitute. You do injustice to every man whom you could help but do not."

What should we do in preparation for Christmas? This is the same question the Jews asked John. His answer, to them and to us, is the same: "Repent and reform your lives," and prayerfully wait for the Messiah. Our Blessed Mother, in her many apparitions, urgently calls us to more fervent prayer. Let us remember that the Mass is the most powerful of prayers. We must be a Eucharistic people, living and experiencing the presence of Jesus in our hearts. Let us remember that conversion is through Jesus, whom we encounter in the Sacraments. Regular monthly Confession makes us strong and enables us to receive more grace in the Eucharist. Let us read the Bible and pray the Rosary daily. We might also fast once a week all year round, rather than just in Advent and Lent; after all, we sin all year round! Let us have the courage of our Christian convictions to turn off TV programs that show explicit sexual behavior, violence and the use of foul language. Let us spend some time every week in adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Let us forgive those who offend us and pray for them. Finally, let us share our love with others as selfless and humble service. "Do small things but with great love" (St. Teresa of Calcutta, "Mother Teresa").

Discussion Questions

1. What word or words in this Gospel passage caught your attention?

2. What in this Gospel passage comforted you?

3. What in this Gospel passage challenged you?

4. What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord asking of me?