Notes for today

It is interesting to note that, in Chapter 3, Dr. Luke describes John's evangelism with the word παρακαλων, from the same root as our word Paraclete, for the Holy Spirit. For this reason, it behooves us to look very carefully at John's message. That being the case, here are some reading questions for today's study:

1. What do you remember of the prophet Isaiah? What was his most piercing message, in your opinion? (Everyone can have his own answer, here.)
2. What is the significance of Dr. Luke quoting Isaiah's central prophecy, from chapters 40-55?
3. Which sacrament helps us to avoid becoming a viper like the brrod of vipers whom John the Baptist admonishes?
4. What do you make of John's admonition, "Do not begin to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father," in v. 8? Is it a somber warning or a surprising offer?
5. In vv. 10-14, there are specific challenges issued to
   1. repentant multitudes, i.e., people in general,
   2. repentant tax collectors, i.e., the IRS of the day, and
   3. repentant soldiers, i.e., the Red Army occupiers of the day.
   Which of the commandments had they broken?
6. In the Greek, Luke writes of "fruits that are worthy of repentance." If you offer a gift that is nor worthy of X, then what are you saying about X? More importantly, what does it say about your relationship to X?
7. Has God ever been known to raise up living beings from geological objects?
8. Name another place in Dr. Luke's writings where the multitudes ask, "What then shall we do?"
9. Does a farmer's threshing floor yield fruit?
10. In the short paragraph about the actual baptism of Jesus, why is there no mention of John?
11. Is the Trinity made apparent in the baptism of Jesus?

This Sunday is the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. So let's prepare for that today by diving into Dr. Luke's gospel.

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