Holy Spirit Catholic Church
Homilies
Archive
3rd Sunday
of Advent
December 17, 2006
Every driver knows that a blinking red light on the right rear bumper of a car means that it is the driver's conscious intent to turn to the right. Every driver also knows that the blinking red light doesn't turn the car. The driver does that. The blinking light is merely a signal… nothing more. In other words, if the car is to turn right, the driver must turn it.
This illustration should help us understand what John the Baptist is talking about in today’s gospel. John is telling the people to come into the river and be baptized as a sign that they wish to turn their lives in the right direction. He makes it clear, however, that their baptism is only a sign…nothing more. They must take a second step to make a conscious effort to repent.
After John tells his listeners this, three groups of people step forward. And each group asks him the same question: "What should we do?" In other words, "What must we do to turn our lives in the right direction?" John's reply to each group is revealing. Let's take the groups in reverse order and look more closely at what John tells them.
The third group was made up of Roman soldiers, that is, non-Jews who were moved by John’s preaching. To them John said, "Do not practice extortion; do not falsely accuse anyone."
What was John's point? John wasn't telling them to do something unreasonable or extraordinary, like fasting and spending nights in prayer. He was telling them to do their ordinary jobs the way they should be done…with honesty and integrity. For men not used to doing their jobs this way, this was a tall order. It meant taking a big step forward and approaching their lives in a spiritual way.
The second group was made up of tax collectors. They were a step up from pagan soldiers…at least they were supposed to be. They were Jews, but in name only; Jews, who for all practical purposes, were living as pagans. They were Jews who were living by the world’s standards, not by God’s. John gave them much the same advice that he gave the soldiers: "Stop collecting more than what is prescribed."
Again, John wasn't telling them to do something unreasonable or extraordinary. He wasn't telling them to change employment and get jobs that were less materialistic. He wasn’t telling them to leave their families, go into the desert, and do penance. John was telling them to start living their lives in a way that was in harmony with who they were: God's Chosen People! For people who were Jews in name only, this was a tall order. It meant taking a big step forward and becoming Jews in practice, not just in name.
The first group was made up of Jews who were living fairly faithful lives, but who could be doing much more. To them John said: "Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise."
John was telling them what the prophets had been saying for years. They should treat one another as brothers and sisters. They should treat one another as they themselves would like to be treated if their situations were reversed.
For people not used to doing this, again, this was a tall order. It meant taking a giant step forward in their relationship with God and one another. John's response to each group follows a pattern. It comes down to this: Take the next step in the journey of becoming who God called you to be.
How does all this apply to us? What would John say to us today if we asked him, "What should we do during Advent to prepare for the coming of Jesus?" I think John would say to us, "Before I can tell you what you ought to do, I need to know who you are and where you are at in your lives."
Are you in the same category the Roman soldiers were in? Are you treating friends, neighbors, co-workers or family members in an un-Christian way? Then you must take a big step forward and begin treating people in a Christian way.
Are you in the same category the tax collectors were in? Are you Christian in name only? Is your Christianity mostly show, with very little substance? Then you must take a big step forward and become who you profess to be and who God called you to be.
Are you in the same category the "good" Jews were in? Are you a good Christian, but capable of doing a lot more? Do you follow Jesus, but not as closely as you should? Then you must begin to live more as Jesus lived. You must begin to share with those in need and to help them as Jesus did.
To sum up, John would answer our question, "What should we do during Advent to prepare for the coming of Jesus?" with the questions: "Where are you in your Christian life? Where does God want you to be? Have you taken the step in the right direction?"
Advent is all about preparing for the coming of our Lord. It's not to do something impossible or unreasonable. It's doing something very possible and very reasonable; like taking that next step on your journey that leads you to our Father's home in heaven. You are not merely signaling your intent to turn your life in the right direction; you have turned your life in a direction that will lead you to your Father's house!