Zephaniah 3:14-18 / Philippians 4:4-7 / Luke 3:10-18
Human beings and machines have some similarities.
A machine is designed to perform a specific task.
For example, a car is designed to move after a sequence of operations. The task is specific and there are not much variations to what a car is supposed to do.
Human beings, as much as they can be flexible and adaptable, also like to be told specifically what to do.
And human beings can be rather robotic, and they can at times even act like robots.
But a better way of putting it is that human beings are creatures of habit, and they like to be ritualistic.
They want to know what to do and keep doing it, so that they don't have to think too much about how to do it.
And when they get used to doing something over and over again, then it is not likely that they will like to change it.
In the gospel, the people who came to John the Baptist asked him what must they do for repentance.
So, to specific groups of people John the Baptist gave them specific tasks to perform.
Generally, he told them to be generous and to share with those in need.
Then, to the tax collectors, he told them to be honest and not to collect more than required. To the soldiers, he told them not to intimidate and not to extort.
John the Baptist was specific and straightforward in his teaching and in his instructions to the people and to the specific groups.
So the people thought that it was all that was required.
Then, John the Baptist gave them something more to think about and what to be prepared for.
He said that he baptized with water for the repentance of sin.
But there is one who is coming after him, and who is more powerful than he is.
And that one who is to come, will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
What immediately comes to mind is a stark contrast.
John the Baptist talks about and uses water for his ministry.
But Jesus, the one who is to come, will have the power of the Holy Spirit and there will be fire.
What a contrast, and what a change.
But the contrast also prepares for the change, and it will be a wonderful and beautiful change.
On this third week of Advent, the rose coloured candle is lighted and rose coloured vestments are worn.
The rose coloured candle stands as a contrast among the three purple coloured candles.
It is a candle to symbolize the theme of rejoicing.
It also reminds us that when Jesus came He brought about a change.
He was a light in the darkness, and his birth brought about rejoicing because the promise of salvation was fulfilled.
On this third Sunday of Advent, the message for us is that Jesus will bring about a change, and it is a change that we will rejoice over.
So, when there are changes in our lives, in our family and in our workplace, let us ask Jesus to help us see the change with rejoicing and with His blessings.
For this parish community, for Fr. Andre and for myself, all of us had undergone a change, and we want to believe that the change comes with blessings and rejoicing.
Let us remember the rose coloured candle of the Advent wreath.
May the light of that candle give us the Spirit of rejoicing.
And let us pray that every change will come with the blessings of God, and that every change will be wonderful and beautiful.