Going to the Wilderness

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written,“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than they he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew 11:7-15

Going to the Wilderness

He stood speaking about God
gaunt and peculiar eyes fierce
and a mind on fire the messenger
promised God with us
and they shackled him
silenced the vocabulary of love.

They could not silence him
even in death his words rang
electrifying people who ached
for new life, freedom, wholeness
release from their shackles
a vision of God.

The voice of one crying in the wilderness
still chimes in the commotion
of busy streets and hallways
the call to seek freedom and renewal
is not obliterated by our noise.

In the darkness and the wild places
God speaks through unlikely rejects
in our dirty alleys the voice clear
comes from the dirt faced homeless one
prepare they way of the Lord.