Advent Two: Preparers Of The Way
The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, God’s Son, happened just as it was written about in the prophecy of Isaiah: Look, I am sending my messenger before you. He will prepare your way, a voice shouting in the wilderness: “Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight.” John was in the wilderness calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. Everyone in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to the Jordan River and were being baptized by John as they confessed their sins. John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wil honey. He announced, “One stronger than I am is coming after me. I’m not even worthy to bend over and loosen the strap of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
~ Mark 1:1-8
“Prepare the way!” we are exhorted. “Make straight his paths.” We are not only to await the Coming in joyful anticipation we are to participate in it as well. We are called to inner and outer repentance, to an acknowledgment of the ways we have or have not smoothed the rough was for the arrival of our God. Our repentance is but the lived recognition that we yearn for the overturning of things as they are and joyously cooperate in the reversal of the reign of death and sorrow that at present envelop us, as individuals, as nations, and as the global community.
~ Wendy Wright
“Wild and lone the prophet’s voice echoes through the desert still,
calling us to make a choice, bidding us to do God’s will;
turn from sin and be baptized; cleanse your heart and mind and soul.
Quitting all the sin you prized, yield your life to God’s control.
Bear the fruit repentance sows; lives of justice, truth, and love.
Trust no other claim than those; set your heart on things above.
Soon the Lord will come in power, burning clean the threshing floor;
then will flames the chaff devour; wheat alone shall fill God’s store.
With such preaching stark and bold John proclaimed salvation near,
and his timeless warnings hold words of hope to all who hear.
So we dare to journey on, led by faith through ways untrod,
till we come at last like John – to behold the Lamb of God.”
~ Carl P. Daw Jr.
If we choose to enjoy God’s presence in our midst and God’s favor in our land, then it becomes our responsibility and privilege to prepare the way for the divine. Only then can we fully assume our role in cocreators in the transformation of our world.
~ Leticia Guardiola-Sáenz
Advent is a search in the dark. It is a call to live wide awake, so that we can be alert to God working in us. It is the call to tend again whatever lights may be dying in our own hearts and to wait for them to be enkindled however they can.
~ Joan Chittister
Get ready for the good news of God!
Open the doors for the good news of God!
Make a place at the table for the good news of God!
Prepare a way for the good news of God!
These reflections are for use during the week of December 6 – 12, 2020
Joyce D. Sohl
Joyce D. Sohl has been Laywoman-in-Residence since 2009 as a full-time volunteer. She retired as CEO of United Methodist Women in 2004. She is the author of 4 books, a teacher, retreat leader, writer and non-professional musician. Here at the Center her work is in the area of Spirituality & the Arts with such programs as Tuesdays in the Chapel, Vespers & All That Jazz, Poet’s Corner, quarterly retreats, and art exhibits.