Can we give ourselves a little time in the desert this advent? We need to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus. We need, even if just a little, to set distractions aside. Coming out from Jerusalem to see the Baptist means to leave our ordinary lives for a moment. It means comes to a low distraction environment where we can truly hear the call to prepare. Because we do indeed need to prepare. Our hearts are covered in the dross of sin. In the desert we understand much better the call to repentance. We are more able to acknowledge our sins. We sense much more profoundly our need for the savior who is to come.
At that time Jerusalem, all Judea,
and the whole region around the Jordan
were going out to him
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River
as they acknowledged their sins.
So let us hear the voice of John in the wilderness. He cries out to us as well as to the people of his own time. The Kingdom is indeed at hand. And we are no yet ready. The blessings of the Spirit, wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, and fear of the LORD are things that we admire. But are they manifest in us? In fact, do we really know anyone like this, anyone who could even help us grow in these virtues? We do. His name is Jesus, and he is coming to save us. He is filled with the Spirit. He manifests these gifts in their fullness. They draw us to him and make us want to follow him. As we do he pours out this same Spirit in us. What was mostly an absence becomes a superabundance.
In the desert we find discouragement and despair if we do not instead find Jesus. We discover only absence when we don't see that he comes to set things right. But all we need to bring to the desert are open hearts ready to welcome him and we do see him.
May the God of endurance and encouragement
grant you to think in harmony with one another,
in keeping with Christ Jesus,
that with one accord you may with one voice
glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If we go and open ourselves Jesus comes to meet us with endurance and encouragement that is sufficient to transform the world.
There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD,
as water covers the sea.
So let us go. Let us listen with open hearts. Let us lift our voices in praise.
May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.
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