Matthew 3:1-12 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 3:1-12 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 3In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, Verse 2"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." Verse 3This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'" Verse 4Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Verse 5Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, Verse 6and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
Verse 7But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Verse 8Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Verse 9Do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Verse 10Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Verse 11"I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Verse 12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
Devotion
For the Advent season we are looking back and reflecting on the previous week's readings.
In the gospel reading, we are reminded of the origin of the season of Advent as a penitential season. In some parishes and church communities, the color is still purple (repentance) rather than blue (hope). Yet both penance and hope are rooted in Jesus Christ. Self-examination and confession are a response to Christ's coming. Christ's merciful presence washes away all those things that hold us back, that keep us prisoners in ourselves. We confess those self-centered impulses. Hope defines our vigilant waiting: for the one who comes with the Holy Spirit and fire. That is, we wait for the one who continually renews our life, giving us ever-new beginnings. John the Baptist can only point to that one who is coming. Our whole lives desire to be like John the Baptist's witness: pointing to our deep hope in the one who comes, the little child leading the wolf and the lamb, the leopard and the kid, the calf and the lion, the one in whom peace is embodied.
Prayer
O God, may our lives be as John the Baptist, always pointing to the merciful love of Jesus. Amen.