One Greater than John the Baptist

On this fourth Wednesday of Advent, we continue with readings about John the Baptist. This week we hear St. John the Baptist’s warning to the Pharisees and Sadducees that “every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” This message is amplified by the Epistle from 2 Peter, which tells us that the earth itself will be burned up entirely at the return of Christ, making way for new heavens and a new earth. While the joys and lights and activities of this season are around us, we Christians also recognize that this is a time to prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming and final judgment. John the Baptist readies us for the coming of Christ by urging us to repentance and to receive pardon and the remission of sins that comes through Christ alone.