Prepare The Way

 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” ’, John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Mark 1:1-13

Our family home was by the ocean, and we loved scrambling down to the beach with simply a towel, ready to dive into the waves. Last summer, because of my injured ankle, on crutches and wearing a boot, I could not walk onto the beach myself. My dear friends, who work on the beach patrol, picked me up in the "mule" and brought me all the way onto the beach. It was so kind. They made a rough way plain, taking away the multitude of obstacles so I could enjoy the water. John made the rough and complicated ways plain so people could reach Jesus. May we be those today who help others by making gentle and kind roads for them, helping them to our incarnate and approachable Savior. 

Gracious Creator, you make a way for us

in the darkness and in the daylight

in the storms of winter and heat of summer

you invite us along a soft and gentle road.

We put obstacles and rules in others' way

we judge and restrict gifts freely given

we keep away from others who are different

yet you are waking with those we reject.

Help us to find our way back to you

give us new hearts of compassion

make us those who rid the road of hazards

so all may make their way to your loving home. Amen.