Onion Sharing

The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,

“Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”

Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people. (Luke 3:10-18)

She had been so wicked that in all her life she had done only one good deed – given an onion to a beggar.  So, she went to hell.  As she lay in torment she saw the onion, lowered down from heaven by an angel.  She caught hold of it.  The angel began to pull it up.  The other damned saw what was happening and caught hold on it too.  She was indignant and cried, “Let go – it’s my onion,” and as soon as she said, “my onion,” the stalk broke, and she fell back into the flames. [from Joan Chittister's "40 Stories to Stir the Soul" 2010]

Do we say, “My two cloaks” or “My food?”  Sharing is just one watchword this Advent.  Are we worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals?  Unquestionably – even though at Mass we say: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” 

At times we may feel like chaff, but Christ “will say the word” and gather us into his barn provided we “stop collecting more than what is prescribed,” and share our onions.

Deacon David Pierce