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It’s Not That Complicated

3rd Sunday in Advent – Year C

In the Christian and spiritual life, we often tend to complicate things. The readings for this Sunday show us, however, that following Christ is pretty straightforward. When the crowds asked St. John the Baptist, ‘What should we do?,’ he replied: “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” To the tax collectors, he said “Stop collecting more than is prescribed.” To soldiers, he responded: “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.” Basically, St. John incites us to do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

So often we think that to encounter God we must do extraordinary things. St. John the Baptist shows and tells us, however, that God comes to us when we are faithful and honest in the ordinary events of our daily lives, professions, and vocations. Mary was called to be the Mother of God, and so she was faithful to this call. As a result, Jesus Christ came not only into the world, but into Her very womb. John the Baptist was called to be a prophet, and he was faithful to this call. Consequently, through him, Jesus was introduced to the people who so eagerly awaited His coming.

God wants us to be faithful to His call. He wants us to love Him and others as mothers, fathers, lawyers, priests, businessmen, teachers and students. He, in turn, will come to us and to others through us. It is really this simple.

We should also be simple and faithful in our prayer. The Second Reading tells us, “The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” When conversing with God, we should be direct and sincere, just as the crowd was direct and sincere when asking St. John the Baptist, “What are we to do?” In humility, tell God what you need and ask him what you want to know. He, on His part, will respond, show you what to do, and guide you along the right paths. “And then the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Yours in Christ,
Father Arthur

Readings for the Third Sunday of Advent: Lectionary 92