Luke 3:10-18

Zephaniah 3:14-18a

Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6

Philippians 4:4-7

Luke 3:10-18

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.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I have been baptized with the fire of your Spirit. You have forgiven my sins and introduced me into your divine life. This is truly good news. You have saved me from sin and death, and I am journeying to your eternal embrace.

Encountering the Word of God

1. What Should We Do? In the Gospel, John the Baptist gives sound advice to three groups of people. When the crowds ask him, “What should we do?” John replies that they should practice justice toward the less fortunate and impoverished. If they see someone who lacks clothing, and they have an extra cloak, then they should share the second cloak. If they see someone who lacks food, and they have food to give, they should give it. When the tax collectors ask him, “What should we do?” John replies that they should practice justice toward the people they serve. Instead of fleecing the people and demanding more than what they really owed, the tax collectors should collect no more than what is prescribed. When the soldiers ask, “What should we do?” John replies that they should practice justice toward the people they protect. Instead of extorting people wrongly, they should see themselves as servants of the people they protect. Instead of falsely accusing people for their own gain, they should be models of truth. Instead of endlessly complaining about their wages, they should be content with what they earn. Justice is the virtue by which we give to others what they are owed. The poor never lose their dignity as persons, and the principle of solidarity demands that those with more care for those lacking what they need. Justice demands that we pay our taxes for the services the local, state, and federal governments provide. Justice demands that we treat others fairly and truthfully.

2. The Christ Will Baptize You with the Holy Spirit: The Gospel highlights the humility of John the Baptist. When the people began to think in their hearts that John was the Christ, promised by the prophets, John assured them that he was only the forerunner. John baptizes with water and asks the people to confess their sins and repent from them. The Christ, who is coming, will baptize with the fire of the Holy Spirit and purify them from sin. John is preparing them for judgment, but he is not the judge. The Christ, John holds, will separate the wheat from the chaff. The wheat, those who welcome the mercy of God and his righteousness, will be gathered into the barn of God’s eternal dwelling. The chaff, those who reject God’s mercy and his righteousness, will be separated from God’s presence and burn with unquenchable fire.

3. Rejoice in the Lord Always: In the Second Reading, Paul writes to the Church in Philippi that “The Lord is near.” This nearness of the Lord is a cause for joy. Joy is not a sentiment caused by fleeting pleasure. The joy that Paul speaks of is caused in the believer through the gift of the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:22). A person can be joyful even in the midst of suffering and misfortune. When we suffer, we know that we are accompanied by Christ: “The Lord is near.” Paul takes up a theme in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount when he counsels: “Have no anxiety at all.” Earlier, Jesus said, “Do not be anxious” (Matthew 6:25) about food, drink, health, clothing, or the future. Both Jesus and Paul invite us to trust in our heavenly Father and to ask for what we need in prayer. This does not mean that we shouldn’t work hard or plan prudently. But what is the fundamental attitude at the basis of our work: prideful trust in mammon and our own strength or humble trust in our heavenly Father and the power of his grace?

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I rejoice in you, your Father, and your Spirit. You have protected me all these years and brought me to safe harbor. I thank you and praise you. Teach me the paths of justice, mercy, and love.

Living the Word of God: How am I practicing the virtue of justice? Am I just toward God, giving him the honor and worship that he is due? Am I just toward my parents, honoring them by spending time with them or praying for them if they have passed away already? Am I just toward my children, giving them advice and setting a good example for them? Am I just toward my coworkers, working diligently and pulling my weight? Am I just toward the members of my parish, offering my time, talent, and treasure? Am I just toward my community, contributing what I can to help those in need?