December 13th - Reflection

Reading
Third Sunday of Advent Luke 3:7-18 (NRSV)
One more powerful is coming John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?" In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" He said to them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you." Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what should we do?" He said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages." As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

Reflection
What should we do? What should we do? What should we do?

Repent! We all sin, so repent!

Here we go from the beginning of John the Baptists life, in the reading yesterday, to the last part of his life in ministry. Yesterday, the announcement of his birth. Today, the fulfillment of his relationship with the people of this world. John coming to announce the ministry of Jesus. John coming out of the wilderness to shout out to people to prepare. John telling us in no uncertain terms to repent.

We are soon to be in relationship with Jesus. We will have to deal with Jesus' radical new thoughts and actions. We are about to receive a fierce and awesome Love that we have never seen before. What should we do?

Realize who we are! Prepare for the coming of the Messiah in a corporate way to all people and in a personal way to each one of us. A way much closer than any relationship we have ever experienced before. What should we do?

Repent and turn in love to one another. Repent and prepare for the entry of a Light and Love into the center of our soul. Repent and be prepared to surrender. Repent! For Jesus is about to take over and change the world and you. Repent! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
In this season of short days and dwindling light, I repent in the darkness of my humanity. I repent in the darkness of my sin and I look to Your coming Light. Take me and fill me and use me in relationship with those You give to me this day. Invade me with Your Light and Love...even while I repent. ---Amen