Matthew 3:1-12

• In today's Gospel John's message is a stark call to ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.' He condemns the religious leaders' empty reliance on ancestry. Reflect: Is your faith a matter of genuine, internal transformation, producing a changed life (the ‘fruit' John demands), or is it merely a superficial identity?
  
  
• John's role was to prepare the way for the Lord, making ‘straight paths for him.' This involves honest self-examination. We ask ourselves: What ‘mountains' of pride or ‘valleys' of apathy in my life need to be levelled to make a clear, unobstructed path for Christ to reign?
  
  
• John speaks of the coming Messiah who will ‘baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.' Fire refines and purges. What is it in our lives that needs the Holy Spirit's purifying fire to burn away pride, or self-reliance, leaving only what is genuine and dedicated to God?
  
  
• The image of the winnowing fork is one of ultimate separation and accountability. It reminds us that our choices have eternal consequences. Does the reality of final judgement influence my daily decisions to live a life of faithfulness and integrity?