Baptism & Brood of Vipers

Sunday of the Second Week of Advent

Gospel of Matthew 3:1-12

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" .... John wore clothing made out of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist.  His food was locusts and wild honey.  At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were baptized in the Jordan River as they acknowledge their sins.

Camel's Hair and Locusts    If I saw John the Baptist for the first time wearing camel's hair and feeding on a diet of locust I'd be shocked, immediately concluding that he must be mentally ill.  I mean, what man would purposely choose to live alone in the hot, sweltering desert?  Why walk around half-naked prophesying about the Kingdom at hand?  Crazy! Delusional!  Yet, despite his rugged looks his preaching ability drew the crowds.  Everybody wanted a glimpse of the wild man in the desert!  His strong cleansing hands washed away the sins of people all along the river Jordan.  People came to him to be baptized not only acknowledging their sins but desiring to be freed from them.  Even the Pharisees and the Sadducees "witnessed" John's baptism but definitely not for the right reasons.  The enemy was near as well as the Kingdom of God.

Repent, Prepare and Make Straight    During the Advent Season, it is important for us to be more aware of ways we have offended God as well as others.  To repent means to be remorseful, sorrowful, and regretful for sinful actions.  Preparing for the Lord's Second coming as well as honoring Christ's birth requires a deep understanding of our human weaknesses.  Are we quick to anger? Are we lustful?  Do we harbor jealousy?  Are we lazy?  Are we gluttonous to the point of harming our health?  Acknowledging our weaknesses and making adjustments to straighten up our lives lead us on a path to holiness.  Making an appointment with Christ in the Confessional is something we should do.  Ask for pardon and forgiveness.  God desires all the faithful to enter the Kingdom of a Heaven someday!

Brood of a Vipers   We all know of people who act like snakes. They slither around spewing arrogance, hate, jealousy, and lies.  Yes, I'd love to take a giant big hoe and whack the head off these poisonous vipers! They've certainly hissed at me long enough.  However, I will leave it up to The Lord to take care of my enemies in due course time.  Hopefully, the verocious human viper will drain away its own poison, becoming harmless as it realizes how mean he's (or she's) been.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could make amends with our enemies?  Love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
(Romans 15:4-9)

-J.