REFLECTIONS TODAY
Today’s Gospel contains some special materials from Luke. Moved by John the Baptist’s warning to produce good fruits as evidence of their repentance, people ask for concrete ways to do this. To the crowd, John says that they must share with those who have none—tunics or food. The tax collectors are told to stop collecting more than what is prescribed. Finally, soldiers are asked not to practice extortion, not to falsely accuse anyone, and to be satisfied with their wages. John the Baptist calls people to practice charity, righteousness, and truth in the circumstances of daily life. This is how they—and we—prepare for the coming of the Messiah in their/our midst.
Indeed, each one has the chance and the gift to share to make this world a better place to live in. A line from the popular song ‘We Are the World’ by Michael Jackson goes, “We are the world. We are the children. We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let’s start giving. There’s a choice we’re making...”
Christmas is the time of gift-giving. God gave us his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. There are so many ways we can return God’s love. There are the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. St. John Paul II calls for a new “creativity” in charity not only by ensuring that help is effective but also by “getting close” to those who suffer, so that the hand that helps is seen not as a humiliating handout but as a sharing between brothers and sisters (Tertio Millennio Inuente, 50). What concrete works of action are wrapped by your gift at this particular time of your life?
First Reading • Zep 3:14-18a
Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies; the King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; 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.
Second Reading • Phil 4:4-7
Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Gospel • Lk 3:10-18
The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”
Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.