Weekend Reflections for 12/14/18

The Call to Kindness 

Sunday’s Gospel tells of the different groups that came to John to be baptized. Luke mentions the crowds and then specifies tax collectors and soldiers. After their experience of baptism they all ask, “What should we do?” They know that their repentance calls for a change in how they live, the choices they make. John gives them some examples and in the second reading St. Paul names it, “Your kindness should be known to all.” We are called simply to be kind, peaceful and joyful men and women.

This season of Advent focuses on our experience of Emmanuel (God is with us).

In His life, death and resurrection Jesus revealed our God to be a loving and forgiving parent who is always present to and with His children. We try to imitate His kindness in our dealings with others and to be at peace in our trust in His love, care and protection of us. We make the prayer of the Psalm our own, “God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid.”

Fr. Ralph Huse, S.J.