__=December 9, 1994 The Message -- for Catholics of Southwestern Indiana
_ II
"- Commentary--
Preaching of John the Baptist: Luke's three sources
d GOSpel commentary for Sun-
ay, December 11, 1994, Fourth
Sunday of Advent, Cycle C,
Luke 3:10.18.
Last week Luke introduced us to
John the Baptist He portrayed
John as a prophet in the pattern of
01d Testament prophets. To de-
scribe John and his mission Luke
Used words first spoken of and/or
by Second Isaiah about 540 B.C.,
Words that promised consolation,
By FATHER
DON DILGER
Joy, freedom, a return from exile, COLUMNIST
and a vision of God's saving power.
The core of John's preaching was
q.escribed as a message of repentance for the for-
glVeness of sins Luke placed special emphasis on
the Universal claracter of John's message. It was
rneaat not only for John's own neonle, the Jews, but
for t ,- .-
sal- he Whole human race: "All flesh shall see God's
ration hat on an earlier os el,
Luke depended somew
the .Go g p
,, spel of Mark, when he described John the
u'ts'.He Wove Mark's words into ideas that he
ri'- lI. had gathered in his own research, as he
i _s m his introduction to his gospel, "having fol-
wed all things closely for some time hast." A sec-
if.°ll°wed that included a scathing ndictment of
usm, SOmewhat uncharacteristic of Luke who
" es .to he a kinder and gentler type of convert to
I iseStiunity. But Luke depended on sources and
, SOUrces sometimes were vehemently anti-
J ,Wish. As said before in this column, inspiration
¢ d uot remove human -re'udices from those who
rote ..... P
c ade u:hgl °spels" Thus when Luke chose to in-
t Le ido, ,SOurces, he also accepts and agrees with
-"o mey express.
In today's gospel reading, how-
ever, Luke returns to his own ideas.
Here we see the real Luke speaking.
It is a message full of compassion
for the people who come to John for
baptism. They ask him for advice.
To the question, "What shall we do?"
Luke advises sharing with the poor.
This is far more characteristic of
Luke than denunciations. Through-
out his gospel he shows great con-
cern for the poor, for minorities, for
women, especially widows, and for
all who were hated and shunned by
others. For example, tax collectors.
When they come to John to ask for
advice, he advises them to collect no more than they
have a right to collect. The tax collectors' much
needed bodyguards come up next. John advises
them not to extort money from the clients of the tax
collectors, nor to falsely accuse people of not paying
their taxes, and to be content with their wages. Ob-
viously these soldiers were known for extortion, as
were the tax collectors, and for falsely accusing peo-
ple of not paying their taxes when they didn't agree
to be victims of extortion. Today we would call it
protection money. Luke's John the Baptist speaks
to the heart of all who are looking for a better life.
This little dialogue with repentant sinners is found
only in Luke.
Luke points out that John was so popular that
many thought he might be the long awaited Mes-
siah who was to deliver his people from oppression
-- in this case, Roman oppression. John responded
that he was not the one, but someone mightier than
himself was on the way. John's relationship to this
"mighty one" is described as that of the lowest slave
to his master, "the thong of whose sandals I am not
11
worthy to untie." Because John was so revered and
had generated a great following, our four gospel au-
thors are ever careful to put John into his place
the role of servant to Jesus. When our gospels were
written 40 to 70 years after the death of John and
Jesus, the followers of John the Baptist were still
so many and so important that the gospel authors
found it necessary to repeatedly point out John's
lower status.
The major difference between John and Jesus:
"He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit .... "To
describe the relationship of John to Jesus Luke had
been following Mark's lead. Now he turns to a
source he had used earlier -- a source that is full of
denunciation. Its author must have been a fire and
brimstone preacher. He speaks of clearing out the
threshing floor and burning the chaff in everlasting
fire. Then Luke allows himself to speak once more
when he adds: "So with many other exhortations
John proclaimed Good News to the people:"
And so Luke portrays John the Baptist full of
threats, denunciations, condemnations, a fire and
brimstone preacher, a fiery prophet like the Old
Testament prophets before him. That is one side of
the coin. The other side is a man of deep compas-
sion who brings hope in the midst of despair, who
takes time to be with the poor, and above all a man
of humility who recognizes his role as that of a ser-
vant. Whether John historically reflected both
sides of the coin or is so portrayed because of
Luke's use of different literary sources we do not
know. It is the message that is important: To share
with the poor and to deal honestly with all. Only
then will we be ready for him "who baptizes with
the Holy Spirit and with fire7
Readings: Luke: 3:14.18; Philippians 4:4. 7.
oQOlden dubilari "ns
?tedahdei ldred (Benk, Wallace of Haubstadt cele-
a uttleth versa wth a Mass of
L , ks-_. " wedding anni ry "
elr s'VlUg. A dinner, hosted b their children and
i.,areiea'Was held at the Log Inn Dec. 4. The couple
Walp. uec. 6, 1944, at St. James by Father John
Ji''t ee of F eyare the parents of seven children: Tom
Wallae: rt B.ranch, Barbara Stolz, Karen Elpers and
0t'Ville, ±©,_all of Haubstadt, Richard Wallace of
tiC:t: Welldelldt.Pam Wilderman and Steve Wallace, both
f:u fom " ley have 12 grandchildren. Mr. Wallace re-
ym the ,eOrge Koch Sons and Mrs. Wallace retired
I'll E'rLE R MOVING
Van '- STORAGE
SVllle,s First Family of Movers
.Vsvi I I e, Indiana
Kimball International
Jasper, Indiana
1994 Victorian Christmas
"A CHRISTMAS JEWEL"
November 25 thru December 30
Open Every Day
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Adults -- $4.00
Students -- $2.00
Children -- $1.00
Gift Shop & Sweet Shop
Victorian Jewelry on Display
REITZ HOME MUSEUM
224 S.E. First Street
Evansville, Indiana
RESTAURANT
SPECIALIZING IN
DELICIOUS GERMAN FOOD
PRIME RIB
CHARBROILED STEAK
COUNTRY FRIED CHICKEN
SEAFOODS • SALAD BAR
BANQUET ROOM FOR PRIVATE PARTIES
FOR ALL YOUR /TNG NEEDS, CALL
I 482"2640 ]
I'hW. 162S.
393 3rd. Ave., Jasper, IN
"Over 50 Semi Loads In Stock"
36" coy. #I white from $41.95 sq.
(13 colors slightly higher)
#2 metal ....... $26.95o $37.95 sq.
#3 metal ....... $18.95 to $29.95 sq.
5V and 1-1/2"galv. In Stock
OVERHEAD DOORS
Over 300 in Stock
9 x 7 Insulated ................. $229.81
TRUSS RAFTERS
Any size up to 1Off span
POST BUILDING PKGS
Any Size -- Call for Free Quotes
DAVIESS CO. METAL SALES
Hwy. 50 E., Cannelburg.
4 mi. E. Montgomery
812-295-4229
, n ml ml H II I
Auto! Home! Fire & Life!
Your Personal Service Agent
James L. Will Ins. Agency Inc.
1925 W. Franklin Street : 425-31
I II II
Holy Family Rectory
Open House
Saturday
December 17
6 Io 9 p.m. Easlern Time
ltal[ mile o[ luminaries
No phone calls please
I I II I IIII
Help Spread the Good Word!
The Redemptorist Fathers Catholic Liguo-
dan Magazine needs people willing to give
fifteen hours or so a week to local tele-
phoning for subscriptions. Many of you re-
ceive the Liguorian in your homes. Usually
you subscribed when asked to do so at a
mission in your parish. Now the Liguorian
needs to expand. Work from your own
home at your own pace and earn money by
helping realize Redemptorist aims. If doing
this interest you, please wdte or t.one
Mr. Raymond Hill, 2591 OIde Hi!! E:. N.
Columbus, OH 43221-3638, 614-488-6033,
I I II I
