Matthew 3:1-12 NRSVue
1In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”, 3This 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.’ ”
4Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan were going out to him, 6and they were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins.
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Therefore, bear fruit worthy of repentance, 9and 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. 10Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
11“I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12His 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.”
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Some thoughts on this scripture
Reflection
I may feel uncomfortable when confronted with John's call to repentance but I let myself listen, acknowledging that I am a sinner in need of God's mercy. If I cannot admit this, Advent is not for me.
Reflection
God does not want me to passively receive the Word. I work with God, preparing the way in my life, expectantly and hopefully watching for God's approach.
Reflection
Isn’t it extraordinary how a mortified man draws people. They admire one
whose needs are minimal, who is the master of his own appetites, who has a
deep interior freedom. John the Baptist, with minimal clothes and minimal
food, was a magnet. People trusted him because clearly he could not be
bought. As Churchill said of Lawrence of Arabia, “Because he despised the
world’s prizes, the world held him in awe. He was enfranchised by his
indifference to its pleasures.”
Reflection
Where are the chains on me, the appetites which I have not mastered, and that
pull me in ways I do not want? Help me towards a freer heart and body, Lord.
Reflection
I may feel uncomfortable when confronted with John's call to repentance but I
let myself listen, acknowledging that I am a sinner in need of God's mercy.
If I cannot admit this, Advent is not for me.
Reflection
God does not want me to passively receive the Word. I work with God,
preparing the way in my life, expectant and hopefully watching for God’s
approach.