He said:
“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”
The Christmas Season climaxes with the Solemnity of the Nativity and then slowly fades away as we celebrate Mary the Mother of God, the Epiphany, and the Baptism of the Lord.
Today we hear echoes of Advent and the voice of John the Baptist. His self-description is wonderful. Saint Augustine reflected upon that voice that sounds in the desert and then fades away. It begins with knowledge in one's heart, "There is the Christ."
It moves from the heart to the mind, where it picks up words and phrasing to add meaning and dimension. It flows from the mind to the chest and lungs, drawing strength and volume. It surges from the chest to the throat, larynx, mouth, tongue and lips where it becomes articulate and precise.
The knowledge has become a message; it is powerful with self-assurance as it leaps through the dense air of our world and travels toward the ears of those nearby:
Already, there is healing in his words. The sound with its authority and implicit message is delightful. The hearer might exclaim, "How beautiful on the mountain are the feet of him who brings good news."
The hearer, now becoming a disciple, welcomes the Good News into his mind and allows it to redeem his thinking. His habits of fear, greed, envy, anger and resentment can be uprooted now; they are outdated, outmoded, superannuated. No longer relevant or useful. The disciple is a new person and is being absorbed into the Body of Christ.
Meanwhile the sound of the voice has carried past the hearers into the surrounding world where it fades away. The water and earth and upper atmosphere cannot register their happiness at the sound. Their time will come.
Finally the Voice disappears. This was the Baptist's destiny and he was glad of it. He is "the bridegroom's friend" who has accomplished his mission and is grateful for his moment:
“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”
The Christmas Season climaxes with the Solemnity of the Nativity and then slowly fades away as we celebrate Mary the Mother of God, the Epiphany, and the Baptism of the Lord.
Today we hear echoes of Advent and the voice of John the Baptist. His self-description is wonderful. Saint Augustine reflected upon that voice that sounds in the desert and then fades away. It begins with knowledge in one's heart, "There is the Christ."
It moves from the heart to the mind, where it picks up words and phrasing to add meaning and dimension. It flows from the mind to the chest and lungs, drawing strength and volume. It surges from the chest to the throat, larynx, mouth, tongue and lips where it becomes articulate and precise.
The knowledge has become a message; it is powerful with self-assurance as it leaps through the dense air of our world and travels toward the ears of those nearby:
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
Already, there is healing in his words. The sound with its authority and implicit message is delightful. The hearer might exclaim, "How beautiful on the mountain are the feet of him who brings good news."
The hearer, now becoming a disciple, welcomes the Good News into his mind and allows it to redeem his thinking. His habits of fear, greed, envy, anger and resentment can be uprooted now; they are outdated, outmoded, superannuated. No longer relevant or useful. The disciple is a new person and is being absorbed into the Body of Christ.
Meanwhile the sound of the voice has carried past the hearers into the surrounding world where it fades away. The water and earth and upper atmosphere cannot register their happiness at the sound. Their time will come.
Finally the Voice disappears. This was the Baptist's destiny and he was glad of it. He is "the bridegroom's friend" who has accomplished his mission and is grateful for his moment:
John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven.You yourselves can testify that I said I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.”
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.