In the third week of Advent, Sr Patricia Rumsey reflects on the contrast between the warnings of God’s vengeance by John the Baptist and the warm welcome of a loving, merciful Father described by Jesus

John the Baptist is presented in the passages from the Synoptic Gospels that the lectionary puts before us during the second half of Advent as a prophet in the mould of Elijah, a “voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight’” (Matthew 3:3).

John lived in the desert; he wore a garment of camel’s hair; his diet was locusts and wild honey. And his message was as stark and uncompromising as his appearance: “… You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come. Bear fruit worthy of repentance … Even now the axe 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” (Matthew 3:7-8, 10).

This vivid imagery inspired medieval portrayals of hell and the terrifying language of apocalyptic “visionaries” and prophets of doom right down to our own day.