Luke 3:7-18 John the Baptizer

Famous opening lines… “Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York” William Shakespeare, Richard III “Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.” William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

“I am an invisible man” Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man (1952) “Call me Ishmael” Herman Melville, Moby-Dick (1851) “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife” Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (1813)

“Choose life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family.” Trainspotting “The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air.” The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring "I'm 36 years old, I love my family, I love baseball, and I’m about to become a farmer. But until I heard the voice, I'd never done a crazy thing in my whole life." Field of Dreams

“You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?” John the Baptist

‘Produce fruit in keeping with repentance…’ ‘… And do not begin to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father.” For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.’

Wherever there was human suffering, Jesus was concerned about it now, and about its healing now. It is rather amazing and very sad that we pushed it all off into a future reward system for those who were ‘worthy’. As if any of us are.” Richard Rohr, “Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps”

The Burning Question What should we do then? ‘ Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.’

The Tax Collectors’ Question What should we do? ‘Don’t collect any more than you are required to.’

The Soldiers’ Question And what should we do? ‘Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely – be content with your pay.’

‘I baptise you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’ ‘I baptise you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’