Greetings on this the Second Sunday of Advent
Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12
Summary
Those who came to John were challenged to know themselves. The “Who are you really” question – and John says you can discover that by the evidence.
When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance (Mt 3:7-8).
We have in this world phrases like:
- Evidence-based Science
- Evidence-based Medicine
- Evidence-based Law
John the Baptist requests no less the same with Evidence-based Repentance. Remember, John is not excluding anyone from the healing power of repentance. He is calling a small group out due to their apparent contradiction of seeking John’s baptism and the missing evidence of the good fruit (by reputation, by experience or by direct witness).
It all makes perfect sense. We use evidence as a way to prove what cannot be seen. I can’t see medicine work but I can see a broken fever or a tumor that shrinks. I can see the scientific method used but it is proven in it’s repeatability. I can know the law but must have evidence to apply the law by way of judgment.
John is the long awaited Herald of the Messiah. Instead of them demanding proof of him, he demands proof from them. It’s an interesting difference. John performed no miracles and did not have any special insights or things to say that were radical as to be tested and adjudged in the Synoptic gospels. Only in the gospel of John is he challenged on whether he is the Christ or Elijah or a Prophet (an Authority figure), nothing more. Certainly not as they later challenged Jesus.
The Herald of the Good News offers baptism of repentance which brings the desire to produce good fruit if the good fruit is not yet present. A change of heart and conduct, a turning of one’s life from rebellion to obedience towards God (NABRE Commentary Mt 3:2).
Reflection
I am offering an opinion. Those of us who profess religious righteousness must pass the particular test of John the Baptist – show the fruits of repentance (by the way – he did not deny them, he warned them of dishonesty). If we claim to know the Lord and his will then we must already be prepared for baptism — or we risk our soul. On the other hand, if we are just a regular guy, John welcomes with a prescription of easy-to-understand rules of repentance. In the gospel of Luke he gives practical solutions for ‘the crowds’, tax collectors and soldiers (see Luke 3:7ff).
So what to make of all this?
John is the Herald of the Good News. He wants us to repair our ways and make a straight path right to Jesus. Not pretending but with honesty.
And for all of us, begin a life with evidence of good works.
Personal Reflection
I went to confession this morning. I was last in line. When I got in the confessional and after the initial prayer, I said:
Father, just so you know I am the last in the Line (pregnant pause) Not like John, the last levitical priest of the davidic line, but in the confessional line here.
Every hear a priest belly laugh out loud in a confessional?
I have.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120725.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry