(Source from “The Word Among Us”)

The ax lies at the root of the trees. (Matthew 3:10)

John the Baptist was enjoying great success in convincing people to respond to his call to repentance. People from all around Israel, and from every walk of life, were coming out to be washed clean of their sins and to recommit themselves to the law of the Lord. But things didn’t go so smoothly when some Pharisees and Sadducees showed up. “Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance,” John challenged them (Matthew 3:8). Don’t come just for a washing. Actually change your life.

For John, repentance without change was like cutting off one branch of a tree when plenty of other branches are still bearing bad fruit. You need to take an “ax” to the entire root system that feeds all the branches (Matthew 3:10). You need to ask the Lord to cut away the foundational attitudes and root sins that keep feeding all the other sins.

What are these roots? They differ with each person. Maybe they include long-standing resentments, positions of pride and self-sufficiency and prejudice, selfish desires, or a lack of compassion. Whatever they are, we have to trust that as we ask the Lord to cut away these roots, we’ll find freedom and a greater ability to change.

God wants to give us a new way of thinking and acting. He wants to replace our foolishness with his wisdom. He wants to give us insights into his love and all that he can do in our hearts. And he wants to give us strength to obey his commands. But we have to come to him and confess our needs.

At Mass today, you will be invited to cry out, “Lord, have mercy.” But you will also ask Jesus, “Only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.” Jesus loves to forgive your sins, but he longs to heal your soul—your “roots”—even more. So welcome him in. Ask his Spirit to keep making you into a new creation.

“Come, Lord, teach me to bear fruit in keeping with my repentance.”