3rd Sunday of Advent Cycle C
Zephaniah 3:14-18a Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:10-
18
Yes, John the Baptist did indeed preach the good news to the people. Preparing
the way and setting the stage for the bigger event; the One who would preach
the great news. Or maybe better said and understood, the great and sometimes
difficult news. News such as the news of the Beatitudes, consisting of
the many ways where we have the opportunity to be blessed, and become a
blessing to others. I’ve often thought that our children would be well served –
and adults as well – if they were asked to memorize the Beatitudes in religious
education class the way they memorize the Gettysburg Address in school. They
are both great speeches, but one of them is a way of
life.
Also, the great news of who to love; family, friends, strangers, and the ever
difficult enemies.
Also, Jesus’ great and difficult news in his teachings on wealth, pertaining to
generosity and lifting up others, even if only for a moment, an hour, or a day. In
fact, the whole story of Jesus is great and difficult news. And this wonderful
story reignites in less than two
weeks.
But until then, we have the good news. We have John the Baptist. The Baptist is
all ours, and we’ll take him. In today’s Gospel from the early part of Luke, John is
asked three questions. Or rather, one question from three different sources and
groups. The crowds ask in one voice, “What should we do?” Then the tax
collectors came to him and asked John, “Teacher, what should we do?” And then
the soldiers approached John and asked, “And what is it that we should do?” I
really love the way the soldiers ask this question to John for the third time. It
comes across like they don’t want to be left out of something good, precisely the
good news. “And what is it that we should do John? Don’t forget us!” is how it
comes across.
That’s the power of the good news. We like to say that bad news travels fast and
spreads like wildfire. And so it does. Poor Tiger Woods. But good news is catchy.
Everyone wants to be a part of it. Good news is like a magnet that draws people
in. It’s magnetic, dynamic, it’s inviting, it’s saturating and marinating. It makes
perfect sense that even the pagan soldiers who have worshipped false gods
their whole lives, and more than likely crucified scores of people, would ask
John, “John, what about us? We want a part of your message.” There is a natural
inclination within us human beings that clamors for love, for community, not
wanting to be left out of something good. And this scene with John the Baptist is
only the good. It isn’t even the great. But it leads to the great and difficult
news.
Are you familiar with that saying of people who are experiencing a state of
euphoria? Like being in warm sunny Florida in the middle of February? Or the
Red Sox winning the World Series? They say, “Ah, this is as good as it gets!” My
response would be, “I’m happy for you (really), but no, this isn’t as good as it
gets. Is it good? Yes! But there’s something greater waiting.” And the something
greater is not only for those in a present state of euphoria, but most especially
for those who are walking the death march right now. There is something
greater coming. And that’s what Advent is all about; there is something greater
on the horizon. There is something greater on our personal horizon.
And it’s tied in with this question posed to John the Baptist, “What should we
do?” John takes the question and he answers it in two ways.
First, he takes it to work. He tells the tax collectors that in their job of collecting
taxes they are not to cheat anyone. In John’s time, they were notorious for
cheating people and taking money that was not theirs. It’s a good thing that
doesn’t happen in our time, huh? And then he tells the soldiers that in their work
they are to avoid extortion, avoid bearing false witness against another person,
and be satisfied with their wages. John brings the question of “What should we
do?” into the workplace. So for each of us, what is John’s answer to our
respective situations in our work? How do we bring the good news, or the great
and difficult news, into the actions of our lives? If you’re retired, then consider
yourself fortunate. This isn’t for you.
But the 2nd way John answers the question is for you, along with everyone else.
Here, John is speaking to the crowds, which is all of us. And to the crowd John
answers, “Share your clothing and share your food.” A basic message of
Christmas. But also a fundamental message of life. John challenges the crowd to
expand their vision and recognize the needs of others. The good news of John
is manifested in actions of concern. In actions that go outside of ourselves and
touch the lives of our brothers and sisters.
The good news of John leads to the great news of Jesus’ birth. And all the great
and difficult news that follows the Messiah’s birth. To live in the good news now
leads to the great news of Jesus embracing his own. There’s no greater news
than a divine embrace about to happen. .