John’s good news

Gospel: Lk 3:10-18
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121524.cfm

In today’s gospel, John provides guidance to different groups. He instructs them to be generous to those in need, to be honest brokers, to not abuse their power, to not take advantage of others, to not scapegoat anyone, and to be satisfied with what you receive. He instructed others to take care of each other and to be honest.

He then goes on to describe that he’s not Christ. John baptizes by water, but Christ will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. He then goes on to explain that the Christ will gather the wheat and burn the chaff in unspeakable fire. It’s easy to read this as the Christ will take his followers to heaven and put everyone else in hell. Given how fire is also used to describe hell. But in this context, the metaphor of fire is used differently. As baptism by water is cleansing so is baptism by fire. Wheat is the part of the plant that is nutritious; the part that is useful, whereas the chaff is the part that is not useful. John is describing that his baptism is one of water that washes away, whereas Jesus will burn away that which is not useful. This gospel is not about eternal punishment but about cleansing and becoming pure.

John and Jesus were both seeking to help others repent and be cleansed from their transgressions. John washed it away while Jesus would burn it away. In following Jesus, we are strengthened to turn away from our errors and selfish ways.

Lord, Help us embrace your baptism to live a life for you and for others. Amen.