“John the Baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” John is the herald, calling us to prepare the way for the Lord.
In the bible, the wilderness is the place where one encounters God. It is where Israel received the law when they left Egypt. It is also where Jesus fasted for 40 days before beginning His public ministry. Why the wilderness?
Different translations often render the word “desert,” but wilderness, solitary, lonely and desolate is more accurate. To those in the Holy Land, this means the desert. To us, that may mean the forests or the lakes or the seashores.
To go out into the wilderness is to leave behind our attachment to our everyday world. We leave behind the material things that may not leave room in our hearts for God. We leave behind the noise of our daily lives. In the wild places we leave behind our everyday cares and concerns and find the quiet to hear the voice of God that speaks to us.
We do not need to physically travel out to the forests or deserts, although if we can it is a wonderful way to prepare ourselves during this time of Advent. But we can also retreat to the wild places within us. Find a space and a time where you can sit quietly and explore the place of solitude and desolation in your heart, it is there, if you listen, that you will hear God.
Pax Vobiscum
2nd Sunday of Advent
John the Baptist Preaching in the Wilderness, Gustave Dore, 1866
I just returned from the south western shore of Nova Scotia. During my visit I found peace walking on the rocky edge of the Tusket River. I am thankful for that quiet time with God. It was healing and revealing. Peace