Saint John the Baptist Preaching to the Masses in the Wilderness
Pieter Bruegel, 1601
My dear friends,
In today's Gospel reading, we learn of the ministry of John the Baptist:
proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'"
Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist
and his food was locusts and wild honey.
Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan,
and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them,
"You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Bear fruit worthy of repentance.
Do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor';
for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees;
every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
I baptize you with water for repentance,
but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor
and will gather his wheat into the granary;
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
- Matthew 3:1-12
Buddhists and Christians alike understand the importance of repentance and the power of a sincere apology. When we confess our mistakes and ask for forgiveness, we are taking a step towards purification of the mind. Just as John baptized the people in the Jordan River, we too can purify our minds through acts of confession and contrition.
We are also reminded in this passage of the need for preparation. John urges the people to be ready for the coming of the Messiah. In a similar way, we must be prepared for our own spiritual journey. We must constantly strive to improve ourselves and cultivate a mind of compassion and wisdom.
The message of John the Baptist is one that resonates with the teachings of the Buddha. Through acts of repentance and preparation, we can purify our minds and make progress on our spiritual path. May we all take these words to heart and strive to live with compassion and wisdom.