[Pearls Ep 148: Preparing for Sunday.]
This Sunday’s Gospel reading brings us John the Baptist, as “a voice of one crying out in the desert” (some translations place him in the wilderness).
The Church Fathers hone in on John being “a voice” – whereas Christ is the Word. John calls out. Jesus responds.
In that way, John is emblematic of each of us. We are all crying out to Jesus at one point or another, amid the trials of life, and awaiting His response. Even if we’re at a particularly peaceful stretch of life, scripture tells us that the Spirit still prays on our behalf with “inexpressible groanings.” We come again to the words of St. Augustine, “our hearts are restless until they rest in thee…”
This is a big part of what Advent (and Lent) are all about. We go into the wilderness of our soul, which is to say what is causing us pain, or doubt, or heartache. And we cry out for God.
And then we wait. And we trust.
This presents two big challenges for us impatient and distractable human beings – (1) finding the time and silence to examine our soul, and (2) waiting patiently on the Lord’s response.
Our general preference is to either do something, or distract ourselves, or both.
Maybe someday some smart apple will invent the perfect distraction device that makes us feel like we’re doing something.
Hmmmmm.
And thus so many of us sense the need to distance ourselves from our soul-sucking-devices (SSD) this time of year.
It’s a good instinct (as we affirm with multiple examples in this week’s Pearls episode).
Yes, our dumbphones can be used for good, and we’ll look at that on Monday – but especially we’ll look at some practical ways to say “no” to the SSD.
For this weekend, we find scripture inviting us to spend time in the wilderness parts of our soul and to reflect on what we’re crying out for; where do we need Christ the most right now?
That’s not just high-falutin’, pious language. It’s as real as can be – as we discuss in the postscript.
In fact, it’s the stuff the best Christmas gifts are made of.
Blessings on your journey with Christ –
Steve and Karen Smith
Interior Life
Postscript: Into the wilderness.
“Entering into the wilderness of our hearts” – while it has a certain poetic flare – isn’t just fancy, mystical language.
Scripture tells us that John cried out to the wilderness to “prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight His paths.”
What does your heart cry out for? Healing in a relationship? Financial relief? A sense of meaning and purpose in life? John is telling us not to stop there. He tells us to “prepare” for the Lord.
How?
By digging deeper. Such as…
What is the relationship that needs healing? When did the injury start? Who needs the healing – you or the other person, or both?
Why the desire for financial relief? Are you on the verge of bankruptcy or not able to live the lifestyle you desire? Is it to have the security of financial reserves?
When are you most aware of a lack of meaning or purpose? Did you once have it, and then it went lost? What is your vocation in life – where is it that God has given you the greatest responsibility – and why is that unfulfilling?
Obviously, we don’t have the answers to these sorts of questions – that’s why we are looking to God to step in. But this is the preparation that makes the way straight for Christ. He will do His part come Christmas – you can take that to the bank. He arrived as promised that first Christmas, and He’ll come again this Christmas. But we do our part by “tilling the soil” of our hearts – being prepared to receive what Christ desires for us. It’s almost certain that His answer to our “crying out in the wilderness” will be something unexpected. After all, who would have ever thought to seek the Christ-child in a manger? And so we need to be watching, and listening, and anticipating.