Third Sunday of Advent
Bambinelli Sunday
Soaked with Power from Above
Luke 3.10-18
Even the rejects came to John to be baptised: the foreign soldiers who occupied the Holy Land, and the grasping tax collectors who worked for them. Small wonder that a man who could impress these rascals was deemed by many to be the messiah. But John was insistent: I am not worthy to undo the strap of His sandals! He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.
Many of us have been privileged to meet fiery characters like John, whose charismatic personality deeply impressed us and made us change our ways for a while.
Was it a teenage daughter who shamed us into changing our lifestyle to alleviate climate change?
Was it a hypnotist who helped us give up smoking for a while?
Or was it a rebellious son who exposed our cynicism about war and the arms trade?
John the Baptist comes in many guises today but even his charismatic personality will not change hearts and minds long term. Only a power that comes from above will do that, and that means being soaked in Holy Spirit.
Fr.Austin scj