Bear fruits worthy of repentance! --Luke 3:8
Since being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes years ago, I have pretty much given up desserts and have learned how to enjoy fresh fruit instead. At first, I missed the cookies, cakes, and ice cream. Fruit seemed like such a weak alternative. But, today (with the exception of chocolate chip cookies) I’d rather have fruit than sweets. I almost always have apples, pears, little oranges, and strawberries – which are my favorite -- in my fridge. Fresh fruit is not only good for you, but good too.
In the wilderness, John calls the people to turn away from the “sweets” the world offers and back to God. The world tells us that we are defined by the sum of our possessions. The world tells us that cleverness is to be valued over honesty. The world tells us that we should never be satisfied, always wanting for more. In the economy of the world wealth, power and privilege are valued above all else.
But, God’s economy is different. Turning back to God leads to a different kind of fruit. Fruit that is not only good for you, but good too. The “fruits worthy of repentance” may not satisfy the sweet tooth of the world, but are the source of good relationships, strong communities and healthy lives.
Hearing John’s call to bear fruits worthy of repentance, John’s listeners ask, “What then shall we do?” John identifies three fruits that come from being in relationship with God: generosity, honesty and satisfaction.
Generosity is lifted up as a value throughout the scriptures. Generosity connects us to others, gives our lives meaning and a sense of purpose and builds up those around us. That’s pretty sweet fruit!
In my experience, people who are honest are more relaxed, less defensive and more open to engaging the diversity and variety of the world around them. They aren’t constantly trying to cover their tracks, work the angles and cover up their dishonesty and lies. The fruits of honesty are integrity and trustworthiness… and that tastes pretty good, especially in a world where these qualities seem like rare fruit.
Learning how to be satisfied with who you are and what you have does not mean we shouldn’t work for just or fair wages, or accept the reality of poverty in our world, or that we shouldn’t strive to better ourselves. It does mean that we can live free of covetousness, envy and obsessive yearning for what we do not have. It means learning to be exactly who God created us to be. Nothing more and certainly nothing less. Enjoying the fruits of satisfaction contributes to a life lived in the present without constantly dwelling on what could have been or scheming to bring about some future glory.
John calls this good news. And it is. The fruits of generosity, honesty and satisfaction that John envisions are embodied in the life of Jesus and are gifts of the Holy Spirit who is always at work cleaning out the chaff from our lives.
Peace,
Bishop Mike
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