Many of us have heard the phrase, “hell, fire, and brimstone”. The first reading provides an alternative for the prophet’s preaching; “Comfort, give comfort to my people”. The Church is intended to provide comfort to God’s people. According to the Cambridge Dictionary compassion is “a strong feeling of sympathy and sadness for the suffering or bad luck of others and a wish to help them”. Yet the help or comfort to be provided is not saying, “I’m OK, You’re OK”. It is not compassionate to not speak the truth. To help someone does not mean leaving them where they are but also moves them forward to where they need to be. This is why Pope Francis recently stated on Italian television RAI: “When I say ‘everyone, everyone, everyone,’ [I’m speaking about] people. The Church receives people. Everyone. And it does not ask how you are. Then, inside, everyone grows, but from a Christian belonging.” Growth implies not staying the same but moving toward what one is called to be.
The second reading reminds me of a joke about someone asking God to let them win the lottery. God replies, “Give me a day to think about it.” We forget God is not bound by our concept of time and space. Are we likewise focused on the long term? As we look forward to Jesus’ coming are we growing for the future or stuck in our present?
Modern social media tends to emphasize the person regardless of the message. Popularity is all that counts, even if the message is not a good one. The Gospel today challenges us to pay attention to the message and not be concerned about the messenger. John the baptizer was popular but not because he told everyone they were OK. He challenged them to repent and reform their lives in accordance with God’s commands. In preparing for Jesus’ coming are we listening to John?
Countenance of God 