Advent and John the Baptist

The gospel readings during Advent follow a pattern. On the first Sunday, we hear Jesus' teaching on the end times. On the second and third Sundays, we listen to John the Baptist preaching a message of repentance and baptism.  The fourth Sunday gives us the personal stories of Joseph, Mary and Elizabeth before the birth of Jesus.  In Year A, the gospel readings are mostly taken from Matthew, from Mark in Year B and Luke in Year C.

This year we read Luke's account of John the Baptist. He begins with a list of the powerful people of that time: Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Anna and Caiaphas. But to whom did the word of God come?  "...the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert."  Luke's list political and religious leaders places the story of John in particular time and place in history. It also shows us that the word of God does not necessarily come to the powerful, but is just as likely to come to the one who lives in the wilderness.

The third Sunday we find John answering the questions of the people who have been listening to his message. "What then should we do?" He tells the crowds to share food and clothing with the needy.  He instructs tax collectors to only collect the money that is due and soldiers to be satisfied with their wages and stop extorting money from people. God's kingdom is near and John exhorts the people to prepare for it by living up to their social responsibilities. This is the way to "bear fruits worthy of repentance."