Contents
Introduction
After his invitation to the way for the Lord by making His paths straight, filling in every valley and laying down every mountain, John goes on to explain the practical meanings of such invitation. To every group that interrogated him after listening to his words in 3:7–9, and on what to do and on how to prepare the way of the Lord, John gave a concrete answer. In other words, This Sunday Gospel reading continues last Sunday’s message on the identity of John the Baptist and his role as a forerunner – one who prepares the way for the Christ. The reading described the appearance of John in the desert, establishing his link with the prophetic tradition of Israel. Last week, John called and challenged the crowd and every Christian to show evidence of their repentance by amending their lives. According to John, what saves is not our lineage or social status. Repentance must be observable in our actions. With this, Luke underlines two important themes of his Gospel message: The Christian faith which should be manifested in our actions; and the call to salvation which is made available to everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike.
Repentance and sharing
“And the crowds asked him, what then should we do? In reply he said to them, whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise” (Luke 3:10–11). This was the reaction of the crowd on hearing what John said. The question, “what then…” is in reaction to John’s invitation to amend their way of life. What did John say to them? When the crowd came out to be baptized, John opened up and said to them “you brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 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. Even now the axe 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” (Luke 3:7–9). These words touched them that both the crowd, tax collectors and soldiers started asking what to do to bear good fruit and avoid being cut down and thrown into the fire. The recurrence of the interrogation what then shall we do in the Gospel according to Luke and in the Acts of the Apostles, shows the importance of the need to repentance.
Conclusion
The words of John to the crowd, the tax collectors and the soldiers are addressed to us today. Like the crowd, we must learn to share whatever we have that is not evil. Unfortunately, whenever sharing is mentioned, many people understand only material things. Outside material things which could be shared with those who do not have, there are also other things that could and need to be shared. For instance, our time, advice, good wishes, encouragement, gratitude, joy, sorrow, and so many other things.
As of the tax collectors, we still have them in our societies. Unfortunately, the Nigerian government both at the Federal and State levels have so many task and inhuman agents who collect illegal taxes for them and in a very violent and callous ways. This must stop. Even in the Churches and Parishes too. The uncontrolled and insensitive ways of making financial requests from the people should be reconsidered. In some instances, psychological tactics are deployed to extort money from the people. This is violence too and those involved should repent.
FOR DETAILS, GET YOUR OWN COPIES OF THE BOOK “THE WORD OF LIFE: SUNDAY REFLECTIONS” (vols. I‑II-III)!! The reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Advent © is found in vol. III pages 22–33. Happy reading!
For details on how to get it, contact the author on this link: https://m.me/uchennabiblia?fbclid=IwAR2yeg4a6sDGBp9QGkIvKj6FSADumMokN6lshdE0zuo-JHs6qOmlhA7jyHo or email me at: postmaster@uchennabiblia.com or simply send an SMS on 08116100926, and I will get back to you.
