“What Shall We Do?”

How should we act when God convicts us of our sin? Certainly we should tell God we’re sorry and ask his forgiveness…. maybe we should go to confession. In today’s gospel reading, the “multitudes” listening to John give us some other important advise. First of all, John gives out the hard word…. “Bear fruit that befit repentance”. Hmmmmm. 

But after they are convicted, they ask an important question… ”what shall we do?” John , what shall we do? Everyone asks this important question….the tax collector, the soldier …. 

“And the multitudes asked him, What then shall we do?  And he answered them, “He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than is appointed you.”  Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.” (Luke 3:10-14)

“Lord, I’m really sorry. Lord, I want to change. What shall I do?” These words are a great sign that the Holy Spirit is working in our hearts. We really want to change… Lord, help me to change. Let’s not be afraid to get help so that we can change. It takes humility to ask for help …. maybe it’s a friend, someone in my men’s group, my spiritual director, someone else I respect, but let’s not be afraid to ask for help so we can really repent…really change. 

Advent is a good time to take some time in prayer and tell the Lord what’s going on in my life…what’s working well and what’s not working well. Ask the Lord “what shall I do ….. who should I ask to help me?”  

And the good news is that God will show us what to do.