Scripture Scribbles: December 4, 2022

the Gospel

Matthew 3:1-12

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea
and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:
A voice of one crying out in the desert,
Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
John wore clothing made of camel's hair
and had a leather belt around his waist.
His food was locusts and wild honey.
At that time Jerusalem, all Judea,
and the whole region around the Jordan
were going out to him
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River
as they acknowledged their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees
coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers!
Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.
And do not presume to say to yourselves,
'We have Abraham as our father.'
For I tell you,
God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees.
Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit
will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
I am baptizing you with water, for repentance,
but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.
I am not worthy to carry his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand.
He will clear his threshing floor
and gather his wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

the devotion

“Repent. Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths, “admonished John the Baptist. “Therefore, every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” What path bears good fruit?

I’m always delighted to see the school children (the future of our Church) attend daily Mass, but I was terrified one day by a voice that stirred in my heart: “I want you to set their hearts on fire.” “I can’t!” I instinctively and tearfully responded. I was challenged: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim 1:7)

“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” At Baptism we received the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and the charismata (special spiritual gifts). I enthusiastically took Sonja Corbitt’s quiz to determine my dominant spiritual gifts (from a pool of 20+). I was a jack of some gifts, master of none, and my inclination for teaching was only 2%. Yet, God makes up for what is lacking with great generosity (98%). I still need much refining.

“The chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” This purifying fire is essential to burn away all that impedes my ability to love and serve others. Come Holy Spirit, fill my heart. Enkindle in me the fire of your love.

“If you are what the Lord has made you to be, you will set the world on fire.” (St. Catherine of Sienna)

Today’s devotion was written by Karen Molvar