Third Sunday of Advent, 2024

You know how, when, you were growing up, you did something wrong, and your mom would say, “Wait til your father gets home?” And you, all of a sudden, were struck with fear, anticipating his arrival.

Well, this is not what the first reading is taking about because people are rejoicing that God is on his way to them. Why? Because they knew that God was going to correct their misfortunes.


It’s like when the good guys in a movie are surrounded, perhaps about to lose a fight but, then, the hero shows up and saves the day. 


That’s more like what’s happening in the first reading:


The people of Israel have been oppressed by their enemy for so long and the prophet Zephania has received word that God is on His way to them; not to punish but to rescue and make things right.


Then, in the Gospel, John the Baptist is giving advice about how to get right before God comes on the scene because his coming back will be very good for those who prepare but not so good for those who do not follow his advice.


So, how do we get right? John the Baptist said to the crowds, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.”


Notice how simple these instructions are. Yet, we complicate it to a point where we might do nothing.


He’s basically saying, “Give to the poor, and do it in a substantial way.”


To give someone your second cloak or take food out of your pantry would be significant back then.


So, giving a beggar 5 dollars or even 20 once in a while is not what John has in mind; it’s a more significant giving.


Mother Teresa famously said, “We should give until it hurts.”


But, at the same time, John the Baptist and Mother Teresa didn’t say, “Only give if it makes a substantial difference in someone’s life or only if it contributes to fixing poverty or world hunger.”


No. It’s quite simply, “Give to the poor and it should be significant to you personally.”


That is a key way John the Baptist tells us to prepare for Jesus’ coming, which is something we should be joyfully looking forward to.

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