The Holy Spirit – Luke 3:10-18 Reflection
The Holy Spirit has awakened us permanently with Christion Baptism. Isn’t it awesome knowing our internal cleanliness opens the door to willingly becoming guided by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Our Baptism also has roots of loving neighbors and was well-formed in Jewish tradition. John the Baptist, a Jewish preacher, echoes and reminds us of the themes of righteousness. These themes are liberally sprinkled throughout the Old Testament books, such as Isaiah, Deuteronomy, and Leviticus. Many consider Saint John to be one of the many unnamed Jewish prophets. As such, he loudly proclaims the expansion of God’s offering of what, why, and how one more powerful person is coming. Like Saint John, we can raise this possibility to others in our journey and recognize Christ in our neighbors no matter where they are in their journey.
Saint John the Baptist and the Pharisees by James Tissot (full-resolution image of painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website
Luke 3:10-18 – Scripture*
10 And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” 11 In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” 14 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.”
15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 3:10-18 – The Holy Spirit Enters into Us.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
* This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible for the passage of Luke 3.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: The Holy Spirit Enters into Us
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