2022-12-04 Bulletin

The Voice in the Desert

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke announce the appearance of John the Baptist as “A voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’” (Matthew 3:3, Mark 1:3, Luke 3:4) He is described as one who wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.

Why did John the Baptist wear clothing made of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist? In the Book of Kings, Elijah the prophet wore the same clothing: “He wore a hairy garment with a leather belt around his waist.” (2 Kings 1:8). In those days, Elijah called out the kings (Ahab and Ahaziah) and the people for their sinful ways, and called them to repent. In the Gospels, John the Baptist likewise called out the king (Herod Antipas) and the people for their sinful ways, and called them to repent. In that sense, John the Baptist was the “new Elijah.” Jesus Himself spoke of John the Baptist as Elijah who has already come (cf. Matthew 17:10–12, Mark 9:11–13, Luke 1:17). But John the Baptist was greater than Elijah, for he prepared the way of Christ the Lord. John the Baptist was indeed the forerunner of Christ, for he baptized people with a baptism of repentance, but Jesus would later baptize people with the Holy Spirit (cf. Matthew 3:11).  

The people who listened to John asked, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two tunics should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.” (Luke 3:10-14)

Now, it is our turn to ask, “What should we do?” Here are a few answers from the Gospels: Stop judging, for the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you (cf. Matthew 7:1-2, Luke 6:37). If we lend a hand to others only because we want to get something out of it, like praise or future payback, then we should stop doing that and instead help others for the right reasons, which is out of love of God and neighbor (cf. Matthew 6:1-4). Are we worried about not having lots of money, or how we look to other people? Sometimes we worry too much about these things to the extent that we forget what is more important in life. Jesus tell us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto us (Matthew 6:33). Of course, what one person should do may be different from what another person should do. We simply have to take the time to listen to the voice in the desert, to examine ourselves and do what we need to do in order to prepare our hearts and souls for the coming of the Lord.    

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