The Holy Spirit Enters into Us – Luke 3:10-18 Reflection
John the Baptist echos and reminds us of the themes of righteousness heard in the Old Testament books of Isaiah, Deuteronomy, and Leviticus. Purification by water is in the Old Testament, but John loudly proclaims the expansion of God’s offering of the what, why, and how. In Christian Baptism, the cleansing is not just external but internal. In Baptism, the Holy Spirit enters into us permanently, and we can willingly become guided by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Saint John the Baptist and the Pharisees, James Tissot, Brooklyn Museum
Luke 3:10-18
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 daily Gospel reading and considering this Lectio Divina reflection on Luke 3:10-18 – The Holy Spirit Enters into Us.
This site has written permission from New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) to use the Luke 3 Bible passage.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.