In the preaching of John the Baptist, we hear the call to create the new society; a call towards a social revolution that Christianity should be bringing about. If we really hear this Gospel, we will recognise it as the Gospel of a shared life. If the kind of practical acts of caring that John is mentioning aren't happening among us, then we are not listening to the Lord. We have probably spiritualised the Gospel demands. John the Baptist does not allow "spiritualizing" to happen.

He is practical in what he asks of the people...to share what they have; of the soldiers; don't intimidate people; don't manipulate them; no bribing, blackmailing or extortion; be content with your pay (3:14) John provides an essential beginning of conversion, change of heart and repentance with very practical decisions. In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, we have the opportunity to grow towards transformation in society. Both Jesus and John the Baptist brought this into the center of their teaching. We however have consistently ignored this as it would be a confrontation of the status quo which we are satisfied with.

It is important to know that Jesus' Gospel of Love cannot be understood until we have first faced John the Baptist's gospel of repentance. It is the first step into the kingdom of God!