Read It:
The crowds asked John the Baptist,
"What should we do?"
He said to them in reply,
"Whoever has two cloaks
should share with the person who has none.
And whoever has food should do likewise."
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,
"Teacher, what should we do?"
He answered them,
"Stop collecting more than what is prescribed."
Soldiers also asked him,
"And what is it that we should do?"
He told them,
"Do not practice extortion,
do not falsely accuse anyone,
and be satisfied with your wages."
Now the people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
"I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor
and to gather the wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
Exhorting them in many other ways,
he preached good news to the people.
"What should we do?"
He said to them in reply,
"Whoever has two cloaks
should share with the person who has none.
And whoever has food should do likewise."
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,
"Teacher, what should we do?"
He answered them,
"Stop collecting more than what is prescribed."
Soldiers also asked him,
"And what is it that we should do?"
He told them,
"Do not practice extortion,
do not falsely accuse anyone,
and be satisfied with your wages."
Now the people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
"I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor
and to gather the wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
Exhorting them in many other ways,
he preached good news to the people.
Reflect on It: The people were filled with
expectation. Today’s Gospel is one of great expectation, rejoicing. This Sunday
we celebrate Gaudete Sunday. This Third Sunday of Advent is one of great joy.
In the midst of our preparation for the coming of the Lord, this is the Sunday
where our heart just bursts with love and anticipation of the King. John the
Baptist had come to prepare the world for the coming of Christ and soon, he
will be here. I think that as we look at the joy that comes today, we should
check in with how our Advent is going. Are we truly bursting with a full heart
for our Lord or for the gifts we’ll get? What if we had nothing at all on
Christmas morning but the Christ child? Today is a day of joy, of anticipation
of all the things that are true and beautiful and good. Christ is coming, are
you readying your heart the way that we’ve readied our homes?
Pray about It: Emmanuel, you are God with us.
We wait today with joyful hope for your coming, both at Christmas and in the
second coming. Help my heart to be ready for you and the good news you bring.
You are our life and fulfillment. I love you! Amen.
Live It! Challenge: Today, spread joy wherever
you go. Be the bearer of the goodness of God!
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