The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 3:12

Today’s scriptures offers us the hope of a better life if we cast off sin and turn to the Lord with humility of heart. John the Baptist, as the forerunner of Christ, is the bearer of this news: the need to repent of our sins.

The Gospel account about John the Baptist paints a picture of a rugged and straight-talking prophet. John was no sweet talker . He was tough as nails, this eater of honey and locusts. He saw no hint of life in the haughty Pharisees who stood before him unmoved and smug in their self-righteousness. They could have blossomed and led their people to experience the freedom and exhilaration of the children of God. John might as well lay the ax to a dry and lifeless trunk as expect a change of heart in these unforgiving men of stone or as Christ described them, “whited sepulchers.”

God’s salvation, however, will not be stopped. It will sprout and grow and bloom wherever there is a willing heart. John the Baptist was aware of this and he delivered his message, straight and unadorned to those along the river Jordan’s banks. John was prepared to move aside for one “more powerful” than himself, and when he stood down, the desert blossomed forth a savior, Christ the Lord. Is it any wonder that heaven and nature sing; is it any wonder that good people are full of cheer at Christmas time? Is it any wonder that the prophet Isaiah spoke of this birth of the savior as a time when the wolf and the lamb, the bear and the cow, the ox and the lion will be at ease together. These are images of the peaceful reign of God.

Christmas is a time of hope but we need to earn that hope by repenting of sin first, in order to receive Christ into our lives.

The baptism of Christ is greater than the baptism of repentance by John. Christ’s baptism is a baptism of the holy spirit; it is a baptism within that carries with it the power to renew our feeble spirits to follow Christ’s example.

Fr. Hugh Duffy