Luke 3:7-18
New Living Translation
7-9 When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”
10 The crowds asked, “What should we do?”
11 John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”
12 Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”
13 He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.”
14 “What should we do?” asked some soldiers.
John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”
15-18 Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.
REFLECTIONS:
Thoughts from Matt:
We all long to be safe. But where does that safety come from? The crowds that came to John thought their family heritage would save them. They were born into that status, and how they lived or treated people didn't matter in their own eyes. Their mantra: What is in it for me?
We know how important safety is in our sheltering work. Whether it's a knock on the car window or a fight over scarce resources, there are multiple ways our unsheltered neighbors may not feel safe in their day-to-day. John Sweeney, American labor leader, said "Safety is a basic human need. People with a sense of security and belonging are stabilized for learning, creating, innovating. A group of wonderfully cared for, confident individuals will generate great ideas." It is in environments of safety where people thrive and can live up their full potential.
The question is asked: "What should we do?" Keep only what you need. If you have too much, share it with those who don't have enough. John essentially said that having privilege isn't enough; we should use our privilege to help others.
This is the story of Christmas. Jesus exited immaculate heaven and entered our sin-stained world. Though he had all the privileges of the divine, he set those aside to be born in humility as a human baby (Philippians 2:6-8). Jesus, literally born in a barn, often had "no place to lay his head" (Luke 9:58) — not unlike many of the neighbors we serve every day.
PRACTICE:
Meditative Advent Calendar:
December 1: Spend 1 minute reflecting on waiting.
December 2: Spend 2 minutes reflecting on mercy.
December 3: Spend 3 minutes reflecting on justice.
December 4: Spend 4 minutes reflecting on goodness.
December 5: Spend 5 minutes reflecting on forgiveness.
December 6: Spend 6 minutes reflecting on wholeness.
December 7: Spend 7 minutes reflecting on love.
December 8: Spend 8 minutes on social media. Send a message of encouragement to a person on your feed.
December 9: Spend 9 minutes focusing on your breath.
December 10: Spend 10 minutes outside in silent awareness.
December 11: Spend 11 minutes in a public locate, silently observing the people around you.
December 12: Spend 12 minutes tending to your yard, your garden, or your plants.
December 13: Spend 13 minutes stretching your body.
December 14: Spend 14 minutes reflecting on waiting.
December 15: Spend 15 minutes in gratitude.
December 16: Spend 16 re-reading a favorite text.
December 17: Spend 17 minutes re-listening to some favorite music.
December 18: Spend 18 minutes reflecting on creation.
December 19: Spend 19 minutes reflecting on liberation.
December 20: Spend 20 minutes intentionally creating.
December 21: Spend 21 minutes reflecting on waiting.
December 22: Spend 22 minutes on a walk through your neighborhood. Pay attention to what you see.
December 23: Spend 23 minutes in silence and solitude.
December 24: Spend 24 minutes writing down hopes for the coming year.
December 25: Merry Christmas!
Outward Mindset Application
Safety isn't just felt, it's given. When you consider the spaces you occupy, what could you do to make it a safer environment for others who share that space with you?
Non-Violent Communication Question of the Week
Who do you consider to be emotionally mature? What about their emotional process can you emulate this week?
Pathways toward Centeredness
Contemplation: Loving God in Silence and Solitude
This week, drive without your radio or music playing. Allow the silence of your drive to pull you into deeper awareness of your world.
Questions for Reflection
In our culture of self-preservation, how can you extend your privilege for the benefit of others?
“Liturgy” refers to the habits and practices humans use to form community around shared values and meaning. At Church at the Park, we desire to be a community of practice, becoming people who see the world through the eyes of the marginalized, making meaning through the lens of pain and suffering, and committing ourselves to non-violence in a wounded world. This weekly email is intended to provide pathways of practice for becoming the type of people who embody these values.
Many of our reflections on each week's text come from other sources. If you're interested in reading more of what inspires us, here our our two favorite reflections.
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