John the Baptist has always been something of an anathema to be, but one thing he isn't is subtle in his use of language. There is nothing mysterious about what he is saying. Even the crowds following him clearly hear what he's talking about as they ask what it is they can do about what he says with their lives and repentance.
In a very simplistic way John's call is a call that invites us to change what we are doing and head in a new direction. We can repent all we want and admit our sins and shortcomings and be very, very clear regarding where we've missed the mark but....unless we make some changes we've, well, missed the mark! That's what repentance is all about, isn't it?
Repentance is not delegated to a specific group or collective of people, it's for everyone. Note John's response to the 'what shall we do' question. He covers, it would seem, the occupation of
all those present; the crowd, soldiers and even tax collectors! This includes you and me, it would seem, wouldn't it?
And, as he calls us to repent and turn toward those things that are holy and good and just, he suggests what this is really about is generosity with others and satisfaction with what we've been given. Two coats? Give one away? Collecting money? Don't take more than is legal. Be satisfied with your wages.
In a very real sense isn't John calling us to a simpler life that is filled with less and less in order to create more space for God within? More God, less me? More God, less worry. More God, less chance to claim that title myself?
Advent is a time for waiting, for wondering and for wandering through the wilderness. It offers times and days for us to stop and rethink our priorities, our hopes and dreams. It brings opportunities to focus on what is truly needed in our lives and world, namely the One who will come again to bring peace and hope and light.
In the meantime, we've got that job and it is especially crucial during these days of hateful speech, labeling of entire groups of people and rejection of all because of few. This Jesus reached out to those rejected by society and claimed them as his own. Can we do any less?
It is time to put an end to marginalizing, separating and rejecting out of hand those who are not like us. Our calling is to unite, not divide. To reach out, not to push aside. To speak with love and hope not hate. To lift up the lowly and bring light into the darkness of this world.
It is time, people of God, to get busy!
