advent 3 - into our true identity

readings

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath that is to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham . . ."

And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?" In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" He said to them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you." Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what should we do?" He said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages."

LUKE 3:7-8,10-14


The sense of danger must not disappear:
The way is certainly both short and steep,
However gradual it looks from here;
Look if you like, but you will have to leap . . .

A solitude ten thousand fathoms deep
Sustains the bed on which we lie, my dear;
Although I love you, you will have to leap;
Our dream of safety has to disappear.

W.H. AUDEN, from "Leap before you look"


for reflection

One way of hearing John's words and interpreting his actions on the banks of the Jordan, is through the lens of identity. The identity of something is found in its distinguishing characteristics or personality, that essential nature that is present no matter the circumstance or moment in time. One might say that John's message and baptism is for the purpose of calling people to "turn again" (the literal meaning of repentance) to their true identity, to remember who they are, and whose they are.

We live in a culture and an age where there is so much that is trying to tell us and sell us who we are. If you want to "be all you can be" you should join the Army. If you want people to take you seriously, and make them a bit envious too, then drive a BMW. If you're a real man you need a Hemi under the hood and Viagra in your pocket. If you want to be successful then you must have this phone, that computer, this portfolio, and have your children in that school. If you're a true American you will support our nation's warmaking.

The church does not immunize us against this. In fact, the church and other religious institutions will frequently play the same game. "If you are faithful you will believe ______." "If you are a true Christian you will do ________." "If you are saved you will say ________." What goes into the blanks will likely be different depending on our upbringing and our particular stream of faith.

John confronts this when he warns people not to rely on their religious heritage or their spiritual path as some sort of holy merit badge that gets them a special favor with God. Perhaps we could adapt his words for today: "You think you're extra special because you're Catholic, or Mennonite, or Methodist or Baptist? You think you are especially favored because you're not like those fundamentalist folks across town? You think you have it made just because you're Christian, rather than Jewish, Hindu or Muslim? Let it go! God could raise up Catholics, Mennos, Methodists and peace-loving-progressives from the soil under your feet!"

John confronts the places where we have found safe or false identity; he names the stuff we have done or claimed for ourselves that are ultimately done or claimed for the sake of our own self-satisfaction. To meet him, one must leave home, travel beyond the city limits, and enter the wilderness. For those who go it is a literal and figurative letting go and leaping!

I imagine that John would understand Auden's poem very well. The Baptizer understood that for most of us the path of returning to our true identity in God (and the true identity of God in us) requires a great leap that we can only make once our dream of safety has disappeared.


for prayer

Consider making an imaginative journey into the Jordan wilderness with John. Take a moment to read Luke 3:1-17. Read it slowly. You might even read aloud if you are in a place where that is possible. Then take a few minutes to imagine yourself as one of those who left home and the city to travel out to the Jordan to see John. You might do this while quietly sitting, but you could also do this on a walk, imagining yourself walking that path out into the wilderness. Some possible questions to pray with:

• Why would you choose to go?

• Imagine your fellow travelers. Who are they? What are their needs and longings?

• Who are you? What are your needs and longings?

• What is your reaction to John's appearance? His harsh words?
  

• Along with those in the story, imagine asking John: "And me, what should I do?" What is his response?
  

• If repentance is a call to "turn again," what are you being invited to turn towards?

Close the time of prayer by giving thanks to God for being with you each step - and each leap - of the journey.

We are loved.
And now loved, we must leap again,
and yet again.