What Should We Do

And the crowds asked John, “What should we do?”

We are now a bit over half way through our Advent journey toward Christmas, toward our welcoming once again the birth, the incarnation of the Lord into our lives. But what have we done since the beginning of this Advent? How have you opened your hearts and souls and lives to this grace, this presence of God during this time? Are you able to really hear the cries of the Baptist?

In the previous verse of the gospel, John calls these people a “brood of vipers,” you bunch of snakes. And at the end he states, “The chaff will burn with unquenchable fire.” Only those who radically transform their lives will be spared this destructive power.

Now these threats may seem out of place with the theme of joy that also characterizes the readings of today, traditionally known as “Gaudete Sunday,” joyful Sunday, not only because the Lord is coming...but because as we enter this third week of Advent...the Lord is truly close at hand, so near. You see, this gospel, although it may seem harsh, shows us the only way to Joy.

Perhaps like the crowd you are asking, “What is it that we should do?” Often when we think of spiritual preparedness, we immediately think of saying our daily prayers, praying the rosary each day, going to confession, and indeed these are all good things. But John the Baptist calls us even deeper.

We may at first look at this gospel and think...well, I’m not that wealthy myself. I’m not a tax collector, or a soldier. So what does this mean? What the Baptist demands from the people who ask what they should do is something new. He does not suggest anything specifically or typically religious, does not invite them to practice some formal devotion or a penitential ritual. He demands something very concrete, and very radical.

“Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has goods should do likewise.” You may have great wealth, you may be poor, but how do you share with others the goodness God has given you? How do you share your material resources, your time, your talent with others...all others?

“Stop collecting more than what is prescribed:” a call to justice. How do you live out the gospel call to justice? How do you work to change systems and structures in the community, in your family, in your convent that deny others basic human dignity? How do you work to ensure that all children attend school, have food, access basic medical care? So often we leave the call to justice as something for others: for politicians or religious leaders or large organizations. But today, the Baptist calls you to act with justice.

“Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.” The soldiers are the symbol of those who have power, and can abuse that power. And each of us, in some way, has some kind of power. What do you do with that? For those of you with positions of power in this community, how do you lead and guide others? Parents, how do you use your power to build up your families as true witnesses to Christian love? For those of you in clubs or school groups, how do you use your power to include others?

The gospel today is showing us three attitudes we must assume if we want to experience the joy promised to those who welcome the Christ who comes: share the goods we possess, avoid injustices, and stop oppressing people.

There are just seven days left for your Advent preparation. What will you do? How will you prepare? How will you change to truly open your lives to the promise of the Fire of the Spirit, the source of Joy that we celebrate on this Gaudete Sunday.

Prepare The Way Of The Lord

Traditionally, the second Sunday in Advent brings us face-to-face with one of the great prophets of the scriptures: John the Baptist. However, I wonder if today, we really hear his words? “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” John came with an uncomfortable message, demanding to be heard, although few at the time really bothered to actually listen.

Luke begins this gospel with a long introduction to present the political and the religious leaders holding power at this time. But why? Is it important? You see, Luke wants us to keep very clear that he is not about to tell us a nice fable, myth or legend, he is about to write about actual, concrete history: God intervening in real human history. 2000 years ago was a time of class struggle, wars, terrorism, rising crime and violence, economic insecurity, high taxes, moral decay…sound familiar?

The point is that John the Baptist came preaching in a real time. Jesus was born in this real time in this real world, in a world filled with questions and fear and uncertainty. And yet sometimes I think we go about preparing for Christmas as if it had nothing to do with the real world. We prepare as though the whole point was to create a fairy kingdom of twinkling lights, trees in houses, fancy gift paper, extravagant foods and drink, and plastic Father Christmas.

But the gospel today reminds us that God meets us right here and right now, in a world of corporate and government corruption, rising rates of HIV infection and increased stigma and discrimination for those living with the virus, rising sexual violence and rape, growing numbers of orphans and vulnerable children with no one to care for them, soup kitchens for the poor that close because of no food.

Jesus came into this world of frightened, depressed people; a dying people. Jesus came and he got involved, and calls us to do the same. And it is in this world that the way of the Lord is to be prepared. But the call for preparation is not a new idea. For generations, the prophets of ancient Israel had been warning the people to reform. Today, modern day prophets challenge us to look at our world, and to change our ways. But do we listen?

The prophets were concerned about the oppression of people who are weak and poor. And so today, we must ask ourselves: what is our attitude toward the poor? What is the message we give in our Church and at home? Do we see Christ in people who are poor, in their nobility, and in their suffering? Do we see Jesus in men and women living with AIDS and HIV struggling with their health, their future, their whole social lives? Or do we see them as victims, sinners deserving what they have because of the choices they made? What messages do our children get about people who are mentally challenged, slow learners, or illiterate? What messages do we give about people of a different colour, gender, tribe, nationality, or class?

You see, brothers and sisters, “to prepare the way of the Lord” means do so right here and right now: in our neighborhoods, convents, work places, schools and churches. It means loving and caring. It means being open and willing to change how we think and how we act. It means living and reflecting the ways of God…in every aspect of our lives. It means individual sacrifices for the sake of the common good.

It has been about 2000 years since John first proclaimed to the people of Jerusalem and Judea, and history has shown that the message still has to be heard—still has to take root.

But here we are today: Benedict is our pope, Nashenda our bishop Pandeni is the governor of Khomas, Shikongo the mayor of Windhoek and the Word of God is spoken to the people who worship at this church Windhoek: Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight.

Will you listen, or will you ignore this?