St. John the Baptist calls the multitudes that went forth to be baptized by him: "Ye offspring of vipers, who hath showed you to flee from the wrath to come?" Children who imitate and supersede the evil of their parents, are here referred to. The parents are the vipers and their children are the offspring of vipers. They have envied the good and persecuted them. They have rendered evil to many and tormented their neighbours. They are poisonous offspring of poisonous parents.
We also have sinned and are often held in the bonds of evil habits. What must we do to escape the wrath to come? The answer follows: "Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of penance." These are the words of St. John the friend of the Bridegroom. We are admonished not only to bring forth fruits of penance, but fruits worthy of penance.
St. Gregory informs us that: "Regarding the question of fruits worthy of penance, it must be known to you that to a man who commits no crimes, the use of lawful things rightly belongs. Again, a man may give himself to works of piety, but should he not wish to do so, he may not yet neglect the tasks of daily life. But should a man commit fornication, or what is worse fall into adultery, he should deny himself lawful pleasures in the measure that he recalls having indulged in unlawful. Nor are equal fruits of good works looked for in one who has offended but little, as from one who has sinned greatly; or from one who has committed no crimes, as from the man who has committed some, or has fallen into many. By this therefore which is here spoken of: Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of penance, the conscience of each man is taken into account; so the more ought he to strive for a greater profit of good works through penance, who has the more grievously injured his own soul through the guilt of sin. But the Jews, glorying in the greatness of their descent, were unwilling to regard themselves as sinners, because they were descended from Abraham. To whom it was therefore rightly said: Do not begin to say we have Abraham for our father. For I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham." (Luke 3, 8)
"The works of mercy are counselled to us as fruit worthy of penance. Jesus, Himself, has said: give alms; and behold, all things are clean unto you. (Luke 6, 38) Hence also was it written: water quencheth a flaming fire, and alms resisteth sin.(Ecclus. 3, 33) Hence again was it written: shut up alms in the heart of the poor, and it shall obtain help for thee against evil. (Ecclus 24, 4) Hence, finally, the good father admonishes his blameless son, saying: if thou have much, give abundantly; if thou have little, take care even so to bestow willingly a little." (Tob. 4, 9)
In a few days the annual celebration of Christ's birth will be upon us. The time is short, so now is the acceptable time to make ever greater strides in our penance; and perhaps equally important is that we make ever greater strides in Charity. Let, us cry out from the depths of our soul: Come Lord Jesus, Come.
God has all things, and all that we have and all that we are belong to Him. We are left therefore, with each other. We are called upon to see Christ in one another and display our love for God through our love for one another. This is the meaning behind our blessed tradition of gift giving during the season of Christmas.
God wants us to give aid to one another in all that is good and holy. Too often the gifts given during this Season only serve to increase temptation and sin. Let us make sure that we are not offending God by leading or aiding others to sin. Rather, let us make sure that all our gifts and charity will redound to the greater honour and glory of God.
As we give material gifts as expression of our love for one another in the love of God, let us not forget that the gift that we can give directly to God is ourselves. Let us strive to drive out sin from our hearts and minds and make a welcome abode for God to come and live within us. The greatest gift that we have to give to God is ourselves, let us purify ourselves through penance, and beg God to make up what is lacking with His infinite mercy so that we may offer Him gifts that are worthy of Him.