Advent III

Advent III 2015 – Cycle C Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Isaiah 12; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18

A bucket of cold water thrown over you or a slap in the face may make for good slapstick comedy á la,The Three Stooges but when that cold water or slap is John the Baptist? He is about as welcome as a drunk, ill-mannered relative at a family wedding reception. John is dissonant and harsh. His appearance is disturbing; his message is direct, in your face and unsettling. So why are people drawn to him? The crowds, tax collectors and soldiers line up (in the desert no less!) as for a celeb. Even Herod, who fears John and has been censured by him, likes to listen to John speak. John criticizes people, shows his disapproval and reprimands those who seek him out for help. He’s Judge Judy, Howard Stern and Dr. Laura rolled up in a one – two punch.

“What should we do?”[Luke 3:10ff]

Share. Keep no more than you need.

Be fair and honest in your dealings with people.

Do not steal. Do what is just and ethical in regard to people.

Do not lie about anyone; speak the truth.

Be satisfied with what you have. Do not be greedy.

Live within your means.

This is not the language of Christmas. But it is the language of conversion. These instructions do not prepare us for Christmas. They are instructions for a recommitment to the living Christ into whose dying and rising we were born in Baptism. Christmas is about birth – that is true. The question is, whose birth? And though that may seem an obvious answer; is it? At the Masses of Christmas we will hear: “But to those who accept Jesus, to those who believe in his name, who are born not by natural birth, or by human choice or decision but who are born of God; God gave power to become sons and daughters of God!” [See John: 12-13] Christmas announces a child is born. For John, believers are born! “…to those who accept Jesus,…who are born of God; God gave power to become sons and daughters of God!” Christmas is about our birth in Christ; about our living out life as a daughter and son of God. This is why John is so direct and deadly serious. The advent he prepares us for is the Present and Second Coming of Christ. How do you and I stand before God?

Consider that John’s teachings strike at the heart of so many contemporary issues.

Share. Keep no more than you need.

• Why is the accumulation of more so prevalent in our culture? The bumper sticker says it all: “He who has the most toys when he dies, wins!” That ethic underpins many choices from Wall Street and Madison Avenue to the halls of Congress.

• Why is so much wealth throughout the world in the hands of so few while so many people go without the basics of food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, and security?

• How much is wasted in this country? We live in a culture that purposely manufactures items to only last a short time so more or the upgraded version can be sold. Waste is sinful.

• The 4^th century bishop, John Chrysostomos taught that if you have more than you need of anything you are stealing from the poor. How much food is wasted in this country daily while our area food pantries are feeding a rising number of people? Keep no more than you need.

Be fair and honest in your dealings with people.

• At the Climate Change Conference in Paris, will the major industrial polluting nations deal fairly with the developing nations who will experience far more acutely the results of global warming they are not causing? What will be the response to native peoples whose Pacific islands nations are engulfed and submerged by rising ocean levels? Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy gave us a preview of their futures.

• Are we willing to make environmental changes in our daily lifestyles for a healthy planet? Being fair in your dealings with people includes future generations?

• What are your relationships like with your friends, neighbors, co-workers, the stranger?

• Do you feel you always need to be right and win the argument? (Remember who gets the toys?)

Do what is just and ethical in regard to people.

• How can we not call to mind the refusal to accept Syrian refugees of war and terror while our fear declares a ban on Muslims entering this country; the relationship between law enforcement and the populace and the issue of world hunger? Do what is right and just.

Be satisfied with what you have. Do not be greedy. Live within your means.

• Do you and I always need the latest version of…of what? …sneakers, technology, phones, sports equipment, car, clothes…?

• Do you and I live within your means? A monthly review of our credit card bill is a good, solid spiritual exercise. Be satisfied with what you have.

John, that ill-mannered relative stumbling into our Christmas parties and making us all uneasy. But are not sons and daughters born of God to be uneasy in regard to the inequalities and imbalances in our world and life that do not allow us to stand erect before God?  John declares, “The Christ will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire!…the waste will be burnt in unquenchable fire”.  Spirit and fire! John is announcing an act of judgment and cleansing. Not the birth of a child but the birth of believers.

• Like Herod, are you drawn to John’s preaching?

• Are you willing to walk through the fires of self-examination and repentance?

Will you be born this Christmas?