Advent 3

During a retreat when I was in high school, the retreat director, who was the vice-principal at the time proposed an interesting dilemma.  He placed a freshman student in the center of the gym, and took a twenty dollar bill out of his wallet.  He then asked various students whether they would like to become friends with the freshman, or receive the twenty dollars.  Predictably everyone chose the money over the potential friendship.  In our old age, we would have chosen friendship.

But this was a radical question for us that asked to make some value judgments.  John the Baptist is asking the same questions of those who come out to receive baptism.  Perhaps this is why the religious authorities have such a difficulty with John.  John is challenging the hearts of the believers, asking them to make a decision about God, faith, and the direction of our lives.  For the religious authorities of the time, the sign of a faithful person was to follow the statutes and directions of the law.  John is calling for conversion.

I like to go to St. Francis of Assisi for this example, but take a look at this man who had a very nice life.  More so, we do not have any indication that Francis was a sinful or evil man.  But there was an emptiness which drew him closer to Jesus, and a lifestyle which was radical in compassion and charity.  This conversion and discipleship comes about when we can recognize the significance of the Paschal Mystery in our daily living.  For many of the holy men and women, those with 'Sts' in front of their names and those without, have made bold changes in their lifestyle upon recognizing their own neediness, and the needs of the world.  They become uncomfortable standing on the sidelines.

John today tells his listeners that he is not the light, but rather has come to give testimony to the light.  Of course in doing so he acknowledges where there is darkness in the world.  St. Paul invites us to remain full of joy, to worship and pray regularly, so as to convey a brightness in the world, and to call people out of darkness.  Now this is not some sort of pious joy, but a joyfulness that comes in recognizing and acclaiming Jesus as the Christ. When John does this he draws people into this water bath, as they confess their sins, and commit themselves to the covenant with God.

John's faith is radical to be sure.  It directs folks out of darkness so as to recognize the Lamb of God who takes away the Sins of the world.  So with firm faith and joyful hearts we want to engage Christ in our lives and share that experience with one another.  Our faith might bother some people, like John's does today, but we are called to be daring in announcing the good news.