“‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight...’” (Mark 1:3).
Christmas is behind us now and we are almost halfway through the first month of the new year! And it is a wonderful and exciting thing!
And as I finish my tidying up after Christmas, I have been packing away several beautiful Christmas cards that we have received as a family from friends this year.
And as I was packing these away, I focused especially on the envelopes into which the cards were being placed. You see an envelope is a very simple thing. Generally envelopes are white and plain and are not easily distinguished – one from the other. Whether I buy a very expensive card or a very cheap one, I can usually place that card inside a plain white envelope. And even though the envelope may well be very plain and simple, it is important, nonetheless. Because without the envelope, it would be impossible to post the card (or letter or note).
And this reminds me of the importance of the prophets. You see, prophets like Saint John the Baptist, were like envelopes for Christ…
“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight... I baptise you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.’” (Matthew 3:1-12).
And Saint John the Baptist reminds me of an envelope because he called himself a “voice of one crying in the wilderness…” (Matthew 3:3).
And that means something. You see, just as a voice is faceless, so too is an envelope. For Saint John the Baptist had the humility to focus on he message and make himself as nothing in the face of that message. The only important thing for Saint John the Baptist was the message of God.
And I have been reflecting on that today. For I – like you – have been called to be a prophet for the One who created me. And in understanding that such a thing is my role, it becomes imperative to me that nothing gets in the way of that message. And when I say nothing – I mean nothing – not even me myself…
For the Lord and Master of all the Universe has asked me to make His Name known throughout the world. And the only thing required of me to achieve this request, is that I swallow my pride and become an envelope – plain and white. For only when I am empty of myself, can the Lord of the Universe fill me with Himself. And only then, shall I be able to achieve His Holy Will…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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