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December 9, 2021Readings: Zep 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18
“What should we do?” The crowds ask this question of John the Baptist in the Gospel today. Surely many of us have this same question in light of our world’s situation. When we look at the growing extremism and polarization in our own communities, increasing violence in Chicago, and climate change and its impact on the world and our fellow humans, it is easy to fear, not only for ourselves, but perhaps even more so for our children. What world are they going to be left with: politically, socially, and environmentally? Do we want to leave them a world of bitter contesting, hollow and shallow ideas of what it means to live our “best life,” and a planet on the verge of environmental disaster? Of course not! So I think we too are called to ask: “what should we do?”
First, we should hope. Zepheniah says, “the LORD is in your midst.” He tells us that God rejoices in us: “he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.” This is truly good news! God is with you, and God delights in you. It is a joy-filled picture that is sure to give us hope! Saint Paul can barely contain his joy, he needs to say it twice: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” ...and he is writing from a prison cell! This is a joy that goes deeper than current life circumstances...it is a joy that gives hope and digs deep roots.
What else should we do? Saint Paul makes an important point here. He says: “Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near.” The Lord is indeed near...in our midst in fact, as Zepheniah has told us. It seems that, for Saint Paul, this means that our kindness should be recognized by everyone. How are the two connected? I think we can say that the closeness of God, the joy and hope that such an intimate friendship brings, should naturally lead us to action. Closeness to God changes us...converts us, you might say, from our own ways and the ways of a broken world to the ways of a God who loves us so much He wants to sing like He’s at a festival! Ask anyone in love, and they will tell you that such love changes them. It is so with God as well. God’s nearness should provoke us to act in kindness that comes from true love.
In the Gospel, individuals ask John the Baptist what they should do, and John responds with very concrete suggestions. We might say that whereas Saint Paul exhorts people to be kind in general, John presents kindness in actionable challenges. He calls for concrete generosity and justice. Instead of simply saying “be kind” or “act justly”, John gives concrete examples: if you have two cloaks, give one to the needy, give food, do not falsely accuse people, do not collect more taxes than what is called for… Concrete answers to “what should I do?” hold us accountable to our intimate companionship with God.
Our theme as a parish right now is Let’s Walk Together. As a community walking together, we must continually ask “what should we do? And we ask it of the Holy Spirit, who guides us in our mission.
- How does the presence of God in our midst impact how we are to address the issues of our time? What concretely are you willing to commit to doing?
- Have you ever taken time to think about God “[rejoicing] over you with gladness”? Take a few minutes to reflect on God rejoicing over you. Talk to God about this. If it is hard to imagine, talk to God about that too.
- Saint Paul’s call to rejoice, even when he was in prison, challenges us to reflect on how strong our joy is. How can I better recognize God as the source of true joy? How can I hold onto that joy in difficult times? (note: the joy we are referring to is not the same as feeling happy, but is, I think, based on a deeper abiding hope that does not exclude difficult times.)
