It is a prophetic voice with authority that rings out in today's gospel text. John the Baptist, having only just begun to practice his "call" from God, wastes no time in getting to the rotten heart of the actions and attitudes that run throughout the crowds gathering to hear him preach.

In fact, it seems odd that Luke and Matthew depict John the Baptist uttering such harsh invectives to a crowd that has voluntarily gathered to receive his "baptism of repentance" (Luke 3:7b-9, Matthew 3:7b-10). Wouldn't those in the crowd already have felt the tug of truth in John's message? Why else would they have come seeking a fresh start in this baptism of the repentant? For John to address such seekers with soft souls as "You brood of vipers," and to head their way a heap of apocalyptic wrath doesn't …