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Advent...The Third Sunday! Pretty practical advice from John the Baptist in this week's Gospel: if you have two cloaks , share one; if you have food, do the same; be honest, don't cheat; don't lie about others. Practical advice is the kind od thing elders dole out to children and grandchildren. be polite; wait your turn; say "thank you"; wash your hands before meals; have regular check ups. You know the routine. While the simple practice advice of our elders was meant to situate us in a wholesome life that was respectful of self and others, the practical advice of John the Baptist has a great end in mind. The actions he promotes are directed toward the coming kingdom of God. John's vision takes the whole world and extends beyond this moment in time. He is foreseeing a day when God 's justice will reign supreme. He is asking his listeners to begin now to make that justice happen. The kind things we do at this time of year are to be more than simple acts of charity. Donating food, bringing gifts for the poor, contributing to agencies that help those in need are all good things. But if we see our actions for what they can be - giving from what has been given to us the many who have less - then we begin to understand our place in the kingdom of God. If we have more than someone else, it is always incumbent upon us to share. That is the practical advice that John lays out for his listeners as preparation for the coming of the Messiah. And just to make it clear, John adds, that this Messiah is coming with his winnowing fan to separate the wheat from the chaff. God's justice will not be denied!
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 with Fire." Luke 3:16
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