Third Sunday of Advent
Last year, I came across an Internet meme that offered this simple, two-step approach to evangelization: First, tell people that you are Christian; second, don’t be a jerk. It made me laugh, but it also struck a chord. After all, don’t we all know someone who claims to be a Christian yet acts like anything but a Christian? Perhaps, getting them (or even ourselves) to stop acting like jerks would be a step in the right direction. However, after reading today’s Gospel, I realized that not being a jerk is wholly inadequate. Take, for instance, the example that John the Baptist uses of the person who has no cloak. A jerk might laugh at that poor person. A person who is not a jerk might walk by without laughing. Neither, however, has helped that poor individual; one has just added to that person’s misery while the other has ignored it. What is a Christian to do? As the Gospel tells us, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none.” In other words, we should help that person in need. It reminded me of the Good Samaritan. You will recall that in that parable neither of the people who walked by the man injured by robbers acted like jerks. They just ignored him. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to do more. We are called to help those in need. And, when necessary, we must advocate on their behalf. Not acting like a jerk is insufficient. So maybe it’s time to update that meme. Here is my new version. First, tell people that you are a Christian; second, act like one. Not a bad way to observe this Advent season. Deacon Walter C. Ayres is Director of Catholic Charities Commission on Peace and Justice in the Diocese of Albany, New York.
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