What should we do?

December 13, 2018
Deacon Faiva Po’oi
 
The theme of the third Sunday of Advent is one of joyful waiting, and in each of the three readings, we can recognize this theme.
 
The first reading calls us to “Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart … for the Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty Savior.” In the second reading, we hear: “Brother and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always … Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near.” In the Gospel, John the Baptist proclaims a simple message of justice and mercy that in today’s world would have global ramifications.
 
When Jimmy Carter was president of the United States, he started a program of visiting people in their homes. It was not the prominent, the powerful people – the kind of people one would expect to host a president – that were visited. Instead, it was the farmers, the factory workers – just ordinary folks like you and me. Often I have wondered about those people and about the preparations they made in anticipation of that visit. Hopefully, they did not put on some superficial show, for that would have defeated the entire purpose of the visit. But of one thing you can be certain: they did an extra good job of cleaning house! I would. Wouldn’t you?
 
This brought me to Advent. Advent is the time of the year when we celebrate the coming of Christ, not just as he came in the past, but as he continues to come into our present lives – not just to Bethlehem but to our town and our homes and our lives.
 
Suppose you knew that Jesus was going to physically visit your home during this Advent season. Imagine what that would be like! You are not sure which day he will come nor what time of the day he will come. You are certain, however, that he is coming. How would you handle this? What would you do? How would you prepare for a visit without knowing any details?
 
This is somewhat the message of today’s Gospel. John had been preaching to the crowds, telling them that the Messiah was at hand. Those who believed his message began to ask him: “What should we do?” And, John the Baptist had some specific and practical answers to that question. He responded: “Let the man who has two coats give to him who has none. The man who has food should do the same.” In addition, he told the tax collectors to exact nothing over and above their fixed amount. He told the soldiers not to intimidate people or lie to them. He told them to be content with their pay.
 
If we tried to decorate our lives in order to impress our Lord, we would simply be wasting our time and money! It would be an exercise in futility.
 
Humanity may look at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.
 
The words of St. John the Baptist were not uttered just for his audience at that time in history. Quite the contrary! His words are said to us as well. He spoke of “repentance,” and repentance is a vital part of our preparation for Christmas. The word literally means to change one’s mind, and that would express itself in a change of life’s direction. Most of us still need to hear this message today.
 
Unfortunately, the temptation to take advantage of others did not vanish with the conclusion of the first century. The ways in which this happens may have changed, but the reality remains the same today.
 
Repentance is a vital part of Advent. If we are really looking for Jesus’ coming into our lives, we will want to “clean house” and make some major changes in the way that we are living our lives. As Christmas draws near, may we intensify our prayer of thanksgiving and ask Jesus for guidance. May he send his love to purify our hearts and minds anew.
 
Deacon Faiva Po’oi serves at St. Timothy Parish, San Mateo.