John came "preaching the baptism of penance for the remission of sins"
(St. Luke III. 3). His voice was like that of a herald proclaiming a
great event that was close at hand. "Do penance, for the kingdom of
heaven is at hand" (St. Matt. III. 2). The Messias is coming to set up
His Kingdom. He Whom you have so long expected is close to you, prepare
for Him. Then John told them shortly and explicitly how to prepare: (1)
"To believe in Him Who was to come" (Acts XIX. 4). (2) To repent of
their sins and bring forth fruits worthy of penance such as fasting and
self-denial (St. Mark II. 18). (3) To confess their sins (St. Mark I.
5). (4) To be baptized as a sign of hope that their sins had been
forgiven. John's baptism could not wash away sin, for it was no
sacrament, St. Paul, as well as St. Mark and St. Luke, called it the
"Baptism of penance" (Acts XIX. 4). It was a baptism which proclaimed to
all that he who submitted to it acknowledged himself to be a sinner and
a penitent.
John the Baptist was greatly in earnest, for the time was short; he
spoke very plainly to those whom he noticed coming to be baptized out of
curiosity or human respect without any repentance or intention of doing
penance. He warned them of the wrath of God which would fall upon
sinners who persisted in their sin, of the folly of thinking that all
was well with them because they had Abraham for their father; he told
them that every tree which did not yield good fruit would be cut down
and cast into the fire, that He Who was coming and was even now so nigh
would divide all people into two classes--the wheat and the chaff, and
that the great winnowing fan was already in His Hand.
The people then began to feel uncomfortable and alarmed, and anxious to
make sure that they were not going to be blown away as chaff, or burnt
"with unquenchable fires" by the Mighty One Who was coming; and
different classes began to ask John what they must do. His answers were
singularly appropriate and confirmed the opinion that he was indeed a
prophet. To the people generally he counselled charity, kindness and
brotherly love as the best possible preparation; to the public
tax-collectors, who grew rich on the sums that they demanded in excess
of the fixed tax, that they should do nothing more than that which was
appointed; to the soldiers, that they should avoid violence and calumny
and be content with their pay (St. Luke III. 10-14). He showed clearly
by his straight and simple answers that the best way for us to prepare
for Him Who is coming, is to look into our daily life and occupations
and change anything and everything that we know He would find faulty.