In all the years I spent working in education, the question from students that always made me smile (and suffer a bit of frustration at the same time) was: “Is this going to be on the final exam?” OK, I was guilty of the same query myself. In the different settings and stages of life we often ask the question, “what’s required here?” Whether it’s a job, a medical situation, or even a relationship, we want to know what we’re supposed to do and sometimes we are really asking: “what’s the minimum requirement?” John the Baptist deals with this when he tells his listeners – and I’m paraphrasing – “just because you’re a child of Abraham doesn’t mean you’ve checked the box AND done all that you should do.” John wants us to do the internal work of making God a part of our very being – going the extra mile of not just saying “I believe” but taking steps further and proclaiming “I believe, and I know God, and we have a relationship, and I’m committed to living my life by holding fast to the love and gift that characterize that relationship.”
John’s commitment to wilderness living and sparse diet speak to his desire to live deeply that commitment to God and eliminate what distracts from that. His call to repentance is a call to better living – with God – and others. It means changing whatever behaviors impede allowing God to work on us. It means surrendering to God who has written the best gift list. It means studying for the final by living in the now and listening to Jesus, the greatest teacher of mercy and justice (see the First Reading today). John notes that the one who is to come is mightier, and will baptize “with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Doing what’s required as Christians means letting the Holy Spirit move and change our hearts. Doing what’s required means praying to the Holy Spirit and asking for gifts like wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, or reverence and awe in order to prepare for the “final exam” and every other joy and challenge in life that comes our way.
As we think about doing what is required we can look to Mary whose Immaculate Conception we celebrate on Monday, December 8. Her life was about surrendering to the will of God and trusting the Holy Spirit to do great things for her – and for all of us. Conceived without sin, Mary is the model of required Christian living: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according you your word.” She lives in quiet reflection that leads to trust that is so complete that she requires only one reassuring phrase from God through the angel: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (I believe that consoling phrase is meant for you and me, don’t you?) So, what is required? Only that when we say, “Come, Lord Jesus,” that we are ready to welcome the Lord into our hearts and have Him love and change us forever.
Wishing you an “A+” and a blessed Advent!
