John the Baptist said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, “Produce good fruits as evidence of your repentance; and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.”

Luke 3:7a, 8

Before Jesus’ ministry, John the Baptist prepared the way by his preaching and teaching. Crowds of people came to hear him speak and to be baptized by him. He told the people that in order to prepare the way to recognize the Messiah, they had to act. It wasn’t enough to rest on their heritage. They had to produce good fruit as evidence they were turning toward God.

While good deeds do not earn God’s love or grace, they do help us to recognize God. Giving and good deeds are ways in which we turn our attention toward God and prepare the way for him to come into our hearts.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you recognize one or two opportunities to do good today — to give your time, talent, or treasure to others.