shouting in the desert, ‘Prepare a way for the Lord; make his paths straight!’ John had a leather
garment around his waist and wore a cloak of camel’s hair; his food was locusts and wild honey.
People came to him from Jerusalem, from all Judea and from the whole Jordan valley, and they
were baptized by him in the Jordan, as they confessed their sins.
When he saw several Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he baptized, he said to them,
“Brood of vipers! Who told you that you could escape the punishment that is to come? Let it be
seen that you are serious in your conversion; and do not think: We have Abraham for our father.
I tell you, that God can raise children for Abraham from these stones! The ax is already laid to the
roots of the trees; any tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire.
I baptize you in water for a change of heart, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful
than I am; indeed, I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit
and fire. He has the winnowing fan in his hand; and he will clear out his threshing floor. He will
gather his wheat into the barn; but the chaff, he will burn in inextinguishable fire.”
“Change your ways;the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
Read:
Isaiah prophesies about the “shoot of Jesse” who will rule with the Spirit of the Lord to lead us to
the dawn of peace. Paul invites us to see God’s faithfulness realized in Christ. John the Baptist
prepares the way for the Prince of Peace by inviting people to conversion.
Reflect:
John did not go to the towns and villages to preach (as would do his cousin later). John preached
and baptized in the wilderness and people went to him. He had a singular message: Repent!
Change your ways! Prepare the way for the Lord! In the fast-paced world we live in, it is hard to
pause and reflect. We must necessarily “withdraw into the wilderness” periodically. Once in
the wilderness, we must listen to the prophetic voice that emerges from within, asking us to change
our ways. What do I need to repent from? What must I do to prepare myself to play host to the Lord?
Advent is that time of the year when we should make this retreat to wilderness and discern with John
the Baptist.
Pray:
Soulfully pray the act of contrition.
Act:
Identify some three areas in your life where you need to make definitive changes for the better.
Plan out, in prayer, how to effect the change.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2022
