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The Gospel of Matthew Bible Studies
The Gospel of Mark Bible Studies
The Book of Acts Bible Studies
January 2009
February 2009
March 2009
April 2009
May 2009
June 2009
July 2009
August 2009
September 2009
October 2009
November 2009
December 2009
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3rd Sunday Advent (C) Christmas is coming! Yes, Christmas is coming soon! Especially during the next couple of weeks, our culture will more and more experience a desire to focus on the warm glow of the season. If we haven’t already done so, many of us will be putting up Christmas trees in our homes as well as many other holiday decorations. Many of us have or will be mailing and receiving Christmas cards – and attending and perhaps hosting Christmas gatherings (as Carol and I will be doing next week). We have or will be buying and wrapping gifts, and playing all kinds of Christmas music to get us “into the mood” of this very special time of the year. But suddenly – jarringly – into the midst of this comes John the Baptist in today’s gospel. This man is someone whom our culture has never quite known what to do with as far as his being a part of the Christmas story. Can you imagine, for example, watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, and seeing – between the giant Garfield balloon and a marching band from the Midwest – a float featuring John the Baptist go by? There he would be – shaggy haired, wild eyed, clad in his camel’s hair coat, a wireless microphone in his dirty hand, shouting: “Repent! Repent!” Or can you picture what a line of Christmas cards featuring John the Baptist might look like? Instead of images of cherubic looking shepherds or angels or a nativity scene accompanied by messages of peace, love and joy, picture instead images of a rugged-looking John the Baptist with messages such as “Merry Christmas – you brood of vipers!” “Season’s Greetings – as you flee from the wrath to come!” “Gather round the Yule log – as it burns with unquenchable fire!” Not exactly the kind of “Hallmark moments” we would like to receive, are they? No, by and large we do not want to have much to do with John the Baptist – especially during Advent and Christmas. We want to hear that he is the one sent to “Prepare the way of the Lord (and to) make his paths straight” – and then we want him to quickly get out of the way so that we can focus upon the parts of the Christmas story that we know and love. But Luke will not let us do that. Unlike the other gospel writers, Luke spends some time focusing upon the MESSAGE that John proclaimed – that good fruits of repentance are needed in order for our lives to be ready for the Lord’s coming. Otherwise, the Lord’s coming will be a time of wrath and judgment rather than joy and salvation. Ouch! How “un-Christmassy” that message is! But it nevertheless is a message we so very much need to hear! Getting ready for Christmas is not so much about outward preparations and decorations and trying to get into a “warm and fuzzy” mood as it means getting our LIVES in sync with God’s kingdom. So how do we do this? What John tells the crowds in today’s gospel is not anything remarkable but it almost seems like “kindergarten” stuff. He does not tell people that they have to give up their occupations, or that they need to fast, or make a religious pilgrimage, or do some other great thing. John simply tells them that they should share with others who are in need; to be honest and fair in their day to day dealings with each other; to not threaten or bully others; and to refrain from grumbling and complaining. The first thing that John tells the people who were listening to him is that they should share! Or as he says: “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Sharing is a way of life for people who are ready for Christ’s coming. Sharing does not need to be anything dramatic or “sacrificial” (for example, John does not call upon people to give away the only coat that they may have) – but it does mean always remembering and being concerned for people who do not have enough. Having a desire to help and SHARE with others in need – rather than acquiring and hoarding things for ourselves – is fundamental for anyone who is truly a part of God’s kingdom. John goes on to tell the tax collectors to “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” Today he could also be giving that advice to merchants, bankers, and everyone who is involved in business and finance. Just because we CAN exploit others doesn’t mean that we should. I can imagine what John would be saying today to some of the Wall Street and other corporate people who believe that they are entitled to huge bonuses above and beyond their salaries – even though our economy and the lives of millions of people are hurting. We are all entitled to a fair recompense for our labors, but John reminds us that the goal of living is NOT to get rich at the expense of others. We are rather called upon to be honest and fair. John goes on to say to the soldiers; “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.” There are two things that John is saying here. First, he is telling them (and us!) to not bully others. It is never right to use power or authority that we might have to oppress people. The second thing John is telling the soldiers is that they should be satisfied with their wages. More generally, John is telling them (and us!) not to grumble and complain about things – either about their wages, or about their co-workers, or about anything. That kind of attitude never makes things better, but rather “sucks the joy” out of life. Instead of focusing upon what we do NOT have, John invites us to be thankful for what we DO have – even if at times it may not seem to be much. Or as St. Paul writes in today’s second reading: “in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4:6) That kind of an attitude “lifts up” our hearts and fills us with joy! Yes, the message of John the Baptist may not seem to be very “Christmassy”, but it is certainly one that we need to hear again and again and again. For it is not the outward decorations and preparations that we may do which make us ready to celebrate this season, but it is rather who and what we are like on the inside. For when we share; and when we are honest and fair; and when we help rather than oppress others;, and when we remember always to give thanks (rather than grumble and complain) – THAT is when we will truly experience the love, and peace, and joy of God’s kingdom. THAT is when we will be truly ready for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, a “John the Baptist” kind of Advent and Christmas season! So may it be for us, today and always! Amen! -------------------- Pastor George Karres 418 W. Main St. Sidney, MT 59270
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