The people in todays Gospel are filled with expectation. They believe John the Baptist might be the Messiah theyve been waiting for. Three times we hear their question: What then should we do?
The Messiahs coming requires every man and woman to choose - to repent or not. Thats Johns message and it will be Jesus too (see Luke 3:3; 5:32; 24:47).
Repentance translates a Greek word, metanoia (literally, change of mind). In the Scriptures, repentance is presented as a two-fold turning - away from sin (see Ezekiel 3:19; 18:30) and toward God (see Sirach 17:20-21; Hosea 6:1).
This turning is more than attitude adjustment. It means a radical life-change. It requires good fruits as evidence of your repentance (see Luke 3:8). Thats why John tells the crowds, soldiers and tax collectors they must prove their faith through works of charity, honesty and social justice.
Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-18 Isaiah 12:2-6 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:10-18 |
In todays Liturgy, each of us is being called to stand in that crowd and hear the good news of Johns call to repentance. We should examine our lives, ask from our hearts as they did: What should we do? Our repentance should spring, not from our fear of coming wrath (see Luke 3:7-9), but from a joyful sense of the nearness of our saving God.
This theme resounds through todays readings: Rejoice!...The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, we hear in todays Epistle. In todays Responsorial, we hear again the call to be joyful, unafraid at the Lords coming among us.
In todays First Reading, we hear echoes of the angels Annunciation to Mary. The prophets words are very close to the angels greeting (compare Luke 1:28-31). Mary is the Daughter Zion - the favored one of God, told not to fear but to rejoice that the Lord is with her, a mighty Savior.
She is the cause of our joy. For in her draws near the Messiah, as John had promised: One mightier than I is coming.