This Sunday's reading from the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) used by many churches is Luke 3:15-16,21-22. Note that verses 17-20 are omitted. On these pages we have documented the numerous edits to scripture undertaken by the editors of the RCL most of cuts appear to be intended to soften the Word to Sunday pewsitters. This week is a most blatant example.
First, read the expurgated version that most people heard,
15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’
That sounds nice enough, but John the Baptist's actual words sound much more ominous,
17 His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’
18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. 19 But Herod the ruler, who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, 20 added to them all by shutting up John in prison.
I am afraid that the chaff that are sitting in the pews on Sunday mornings are going to burn because they are not being taught a full and true Gospel. The blame falls on the creators of RCL, the churches that follow it, and the people who do not go home and read and study what they missed at church, which is usually a lot.
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