Bear Fruits Worthy of Repentance

Considering that this is a time of year that’s filled with much celebration and joy, John the Baptist’s words in this week’s gospel is a bit heavy. First, he does a quick reality check:

“You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3: 8-10)

I have been pondering the line, “bear fruits worthy of repentance.” What does that look like in your life?

When the people who came to be baptized asked John for further clarification about this, he replied to them:

“Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.” (Luke 3: 11-14)

John is telling people to live lives of generosity, justice and fairness. If we would ask John what we must do in our day and age, what would he tell us?

• Offer a place of refuge to those fleeing places of violence and oppression.

• Share your food with those who are hungry.

• Speak truthfully in love at all times.

• Stand up for those who are bullied.

• Help heal those who have been violated.

• Make sure every child knows how loved and precious they are.

• Ensure that every aged person has their dignity protected and their wisdom honored.

• Give health care to the sick.

• Fight back against attitudes, policies and practices that diminish and demean people because of their skin color, language, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, or class.

• See every person around you as a beloved child of God.

• Love. Love some more. And love even more.

When we do these things, our lives bear fruits worthy of repentance as we live out our faith in Christ. Our living changes. Our relationships are changed. Our world is changed.

Christ came into the world bearing the Good News to help us live into this Life in God as fully as we can. This is why we prepare our lives each Christmas for his coming. This is why we make room for Him in our world and in our hearts. This is why we join the angels in singing, “Joy to the world!”

As we come before God tomorrow, may we hear John calling to us to live lives of generosity, justice and fairness as we bear fruits worthy of repentance.