Luke 3:7-18

7 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? 8 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. 9 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.”

10 And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” 11 In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” 14 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.”

15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 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. 17 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.” 18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

"What then shall we do?"

This passage for the third week of Advent proposes that we reflect about love through the preaching of John the Baptist. Here, he is teaching on the eastern side of the River Jordan and baptizing with water - as the Essenes are doing twice a day in nearby Qumran.

We witness the presence of ordinary, common people, state employees and soldiers. They are coming to be baptized by John. They’re also asking questions about what he means by repentance and acceptance of the imminent coming of God's Kingdom in their lives.

He recommends sharing what they have with those who don't have. He teaches us not to be possessed by what we own, but to dispose of things for the common good.

For the tax collectors, who represent the state and government employees, he recommends respecting their office with full respect for the people they tax, being satisfied by what the law prescribes. For the soldiers, who represent the state's legitimate authority, John orders them to practice justice, to not abuse power, and not inflict exploitation of position for selfish gains. John's message is very clear. It is God's voice. Do the different groups accept his call and implement it? Do we?

Then John proclaims Baptism by the Holy Spirit and fire. He proclaims that he is not the Messiah, whom he describes as a very rigorous figure coming to uproot evil without mercy. That may lead us to think about love and hope in our time.

Love starts with practicing justice, being content with what we have, sharing with others, respecting our positions, refusing any kind of abuse, and asking John again and again, "What then shall we do?"

Happy are those who have ears to listen, hear and practice. May love and hope flourish anew in our hearts as we wait for Christmas day!