Gospel Passage
Matt. 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 3 For this is he who was spoken of
by the prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." 4 Now John wore a garment
of camel's hair, and a leather girdle around his waist; and his food was locusts and
wild honey. 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about
the Jordan, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their
sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sad'ducees coming for baptism,
he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to
come? 8 Bear fruit that befits repentance, 9 and do not presume to say to
yourselves, `We have Abraham as our father'; for I tell you, God is able from these
stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the
trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into
the fire. 11 "I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me
is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; he will baptize you with
the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear
his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn
with unquenchable fire."
Questions for discussion -
1. John the Baptist tells us to “prepare the way of the Lord.” What are you
doing this Advent to get ready to receive Jesus at Christmas?
2. John also tells us that we have to “repent, for the kingdom of God is at
hand.” How do you repent and say you’re sorry to God? What sacrament did Jesus give us to forgive us?
3. John the Baptist says that someone mightier than he will come after him to
baptize “with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Who and what is he talking
about?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry
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