December 5th - Reflection

Second Sunday of Advent

Matthew 3:1-12 (NRSV)

Prepare the way of the Lord

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,

"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.' "


Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume 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.

"I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."


Reflection
So here we have John the Baptist. He seems a little like Moses bringing the Israelites to the edge of the promised land. Likewise, John, calls the people of that day and this day to come out of self. Come out of our selfish ways and repent at the edge of the promised land. Repent and be baptized. Come out and become a special remnant of people that are preparing for the coming of Jesus. Isn't that what the Advent season is all about?

We take time to pause and repent. We take time to prepare for the coming of Jesus. These days we have perverted this season into something of a way to uphold the economy with excess spending. We do this all in the name of gift giving. We have perverted the message of repent and prepare into one of spend and get ready.

Repentance is a change of attitude to yourself and to God. We come out of ourselves, our heart and soul and wait on that inward work of God. We repent  and feel the life giving waters of baptism renewing us and our lives as we wait upon Jesus coming. Come just as you are, perhaps in camel's hair eating locusts and honey, or perhaps in work clothes, or perhaps in a business suit, or perhaps in jeans; come as you are, and repent. Repent and wait for the sure coming of Jesus.

You see, Jesus will come. Jesus will come to you and dwell in you. Through your repentance and baptism, the Holy Spirit will guide you and use you to fulfill the purpose God has prepared for you in the Kingdom of Heaven. Sometimes we have to wait and prepare. Sometimes we need to stop all the nonsense of our false Advent.  Stop, repent, prepare and wait. Jesus will come! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, as I wait, as I prepare, as I repent, as I relive my baptism daily...I know...without a doubt...that you will come...you will come to me and change my selfish attitude to an attitude that loves and has the compassion that you wish for me to have. Come Lord Jesus...Come! --- Amen