Crying Out in the Wilderness

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord” ’, as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’ John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing. John 1:19-28

John is honest, intense and humble as to his role and his purpose. He was born to baptize and make way for his younger cousin. It is hard to imagine how he came to accept his role and live out where God had called him. Both young men must have struggled with their call and their destiny, as we all do. It is only human. And yet John, gifted and brilliant, full of the Spirit, is willing to live out in the wilderness and baptize. His whole ministry was one pf preparation. Indeed, all our ministry is one of preparation, laying the round work so others might encounter the incarnate love of God. John's cries were to herald the love that was to come, despite the fears of some, who thought he was condemning them. Let us cry out so people might prepare anew for the love of our Creator born within them.

Lo0ving Creator, you send heralds and prophets 

so we might open our hearts to your love reborn

you turn desolate, lonely places into living springs

and make the world new again with your love.

Help us to be those who prepare the way of love

make us clear the pathways os peace and renewal

give us the humility to move from the center

so your love might radiate to all the earth's people.

Remove our vanity and replace it with humility

break open our eyes and hearts to know you now

help us to declare your presence among the people

and  welcome those whose hearts are ready fot love. Amen.