Reflections for Sunday December 16, Third Sunday of
Advent, Luke 3:10-18 (12-15-12)
Gospel:
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.
+ + + + + + +
(1) Reflections
A boy was taught by his father
that there was only one way to be happy and it was none other than to
accumulate wealth. He imbibed his father’s teachings so he studied very hard
and he eventually became one of the very rich in their town. On his quest to
acquire worldly treasures he stepped on the toes of many people, he created
many enemies on his way up and upon reaching the pinnacle of his ambition he
became greedy and he subsequently discovered that it was very lonely at the
top.
He was on his quest once again
to find the magic formula to happiness so he went to a wise old man in the
mountain to seek his advice. The wise old man gave him only one advice: Learn
to share whatever you have for it is in sharing that you will find happiness.
He followed the wise advice and he felt happiness as he had never felt it
before.
In our gospel the crowds asked
John the Baptist, "What should we do?" (This was in response to
John’s call for them to repent) John said to them in reply, "Whoever has
two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food
should do likewise." Perhaps the crowds were becoming self-centered
already. They only cared for their own needs and never on the needs of their
fellowmen.
The season of Christmas is not
about what we will receive. It is about what we can freely share. The real
essence of Christmas is in sharing not in receiving. Let us try to wholeheartedly
share and we will feel the highest degree of happiness that we would not be
able to feel when we accept gifts.
On this third Sunday of advent
John the Baptist message is loud and clear it is about learning to share no
matter how little so long as it comes from the bottom of our hearts. Let us
share to the poor, to those who are badly in need, let us share to those who
cannot pay back our generosity. There are many of them in poor communities and
in places affected by disasters and calamities. Like our brothers and sisters
who were badly affected by the devastating typhoon named Bopha or Pablo in Mindanao.
