3rd Sunday Advent | Luke 3:10-18
We’ve all probably seen a live action nativity play. Maybe we’ve been part of such a play. It seems that one of the least popular roles in a nativity play is that of the innkeeper. Afterall, who would want to have to close the door to Joseph, Mary and her unborn child Jesus? We all want to welcome Jesus. That is what we are trying to do during this season of Advent. We want to better prepare to welcome Jesus. What, however, is the best way of doing this? In the Gospel today (Luke 3:10-18), John the Baptist gives us some important pointers.
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| Jan Matsys [Public domain] |
Above all, John teaches us that talk is cheap. Just saying that we want to welcome Jesus is not sufficient. Words are not enough. Here I am cheating a little bit because John makes this point in the verses immediately preceding the portion of Luke that we heard in the Gospel. There, John chastises those coming to receive his baptism of repentance, which is meant to prepare for the coming of Jesus, without making an attempt to change their lives. These people suggest that it is enough to merely say that “Abraham is our Father”. John explains that just saying these words is not enough to prepare to receive Jesus. “God can raise up sons of Abraham from these stones”, John explains. Just saying the right words are not enough to to prepare for Christmas. Every year around this time there is a recurring debate. Should people say “merry Christmas” or something more religiously neutral like “happy holidays”? Last year at a news conference, President Trump exclaimed that since he became president, “we’re saying merry Christmas again”. As John teaches us in Luke’s Gospel, talk is cheap. Though we say “merry Christmas”, our actions may shut Jesus out of our lives. Merely saying the right words does not mean that we are ready to welcome Jesus.
John the Baptist makes it clear that we prepare ourselves to welcome Jesus by producing “fruits of repentance”, that is, good deeds. After being rebuked by John for thinking that it is enough to simply say that they are the sons of Abraham, the people ask John what they must do in order prepare for the coming Messiah. In response, John gives a list of the “fruit of repentance” that they should produce in their lives. They must share with those in need. Whoever has two cloaks must give one to the one who has none. They should carry out their professions honestly and not cheat or treat anyone unfairly. Tax collectors should only take the stipulated amount. Soldiers should not practice extortion. By changing their actions and performing good works, the people will then be ready for the coming Messiah. We can hear John’s words ringing out in our word today. Do you want to welcome Jesus at Christmas? Share your possessions with those in need, those who cannot give you anything back in return. Saying “merry Christmas” is fine, but unless you give to the poor and help those in need, then these words may not ring true. If you don’t have money or possessions to share, then give of your time. Visit or call an elderly friend or relative who may be lonely at this time. By producing these “fruits of repentance”, we can prepare to welcome Jesus at Christmas.
By sharing what we have, whether it be time or possessions, with those in need, we can ensure that we experience joy at Christmas. Joy is something we all probably want to experience as we get ready for Christmas. Today’s liturgy is an important reminder of this. This Sunday, the 3rd Sunday of Advent, is traditionally called “Gaudete” Sunday, which means “Rejoice!” The first and second readings are both an invocation to rejoice. In the first reading we heard, ”Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel!” In the second reading, Paul instructs us to “rejoice in the Lord always”. We have all probably experienced the joy that comes with sharing what we have with those in need. A while back, I read a news article that struck this point home. This article told the story about a four year old boy who used his allowance money to buy food for the poor in Birmingham, Alabama. The boy distributed this food to those in need by hand. To add to the excellence of his actions, he gave the food out while wearing a superhero cape! You just need to look at a few pictures of this young boy in action to see how utterly joyful he is while performing these acts of kindness and service. Likewise, when we share what we have with others, we are filled with joy.
This Christmas, do you want to avoid playing in real life the part of the innkeeper who fails to welcome Jesus? Do you want to experience joy as Christmas approaches? Then, in addition to saying “merry Christmas”, let us produce works of repentance by sharing our possessions and time with those who are in need.
