Vol.5 No.14 DoM Gospel Reflection
3rd Sunday of Advent—December 13, 2015
Luke 3: 10-18
By Fran Schnadelbach
The Gospel reading opens with the question: What should we do? The crowds were coming to be baptized by John because it was the popular thing to do. In the verses just prior to our reading John has called them a brood of vipers! He asks “ Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? You must bear fruits that befit repentance and do not begin to say to yourselves we have Abraham as our father for I tell you God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” This strong message caused them to sit up and take notice! They then ask the question, What should we do( to avoid this harsh punishment? ) Let’s take a closer look at the question. It is really 4 questions in one. By placing emphasis on a different word of the statement you have WHAT should we do?, What SHOULD we do?, What should WE do? and What should we DO?.
John the Baptist answers the “ WHAT” question in a clear and straight forward way: Clothe and feed the needy. Be fair in all your dealings with people. End of story. But the “SHOULD” question gets a little more complicated. What SHOULD we do implies that we are doing something already that is somewhat inadequate. I have a Goodwill pile. I donate my used and worn clothing. I donate to the Back Pack ministry or the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry when I find a good sale. This kind of giving really requires very little of me. SHOULD there be a better way to give? It’s easy to give one cloak when you have twenty in the closet. But what if I only had two? If I gave one away I would be left with no spare, no back up. Isn’t that a little harder to do? John’s answer also summons us to a profound sensitivity to those around us. If we are to give to those who have no coat and no food, then we must first allow our eyes and hearts to be opened to notice them, which is where we often fail, especially in the increasingly busy world we live in. The 3rd question is what should “WE” do? He answered each group who asked very specifically. To the tax collectors, stop collecting more than is prescribed. To the soldiers, do not practice extortion, falsely accuse no one and be satisfied with your wages. He did not tell the tax collectors to stop collecting or the soldiers to desert the army. They were to do their jobs but with an attitude of fairness. What is the message to the Daughters of Mary?
The fourth and final question asks What should we “DO”? This wording of the question makes it clear that some action is required. Repentance is not just a verbal exercise. John’s message seems to be that there is no conversion without a change in one’s way of life, and a commitment to share one’s possessions as generously as possible with those in need. Repentance that remains purely on the level of thoughts and good intentions is not what Christianity demands.
John gave the crowds concrete examples when asked THE question. We need to have some concrete plans for ourselves. We can be creative. Ever thought of giving brand new clothes to Goodwill or Our Sister’s Closet? Something you might actually like to keep? Try not replacing the items you give away. When donating food give things you would actually feed your own family.
Sarah Swafford with Dynamic Catholic’s BEST ADVENT EVER describes a giving method called “the one level down” concept. We tend to spend the max our money will buy: The best house or car that we can afford. If we instead buy one level down with all our purchases and commit the savings to give to the poor. We wouldn’t be spending any more than our budget allows but someone else will reap the benefits. Face it: If I save money on one item that usually justifies as an excuse to buy myself something else! St. Francis of Assisi said it best when he said “Start by doing what is necessary; then do what is possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
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