Today, John the Baptist takes us to the Desert, Why?

Gospel Thoughts

*Advent Season : C Cycle  2nd Week - Sunday*

*GOSPEL -  Lk 3:1-6*

*First Reading - Bar 5:1-9*

*Second Reading : Phil 1:4-6, 8-11*

*Today, John the Baptist takes us to the Desert, Why?*

*1) A voice Crying in the Wilderness*

These are the Words of John the Baptist in today's Gospel, quoted from the Book of Isaiah

Since John the Baptist is crying out in the Wilderness, it is natural that we are supposed to go the desert to listen to his voice 

So a simple question to ponder. Why John the Baptist is taking us to the desert? What is the Speciality of the desert? 

*2) Desert is a Special Place*

In the desert we find variety of things. There will be variety of trees, greenery, stones, streams, water, animals, birds, plants, grass etc. 

The moment we enter into the desert, we forget many of the things and we ponder about the things which are found in the desert

Desert is a place of silence and helps us to think and meditate on many things 

In other words we can say that, desert is a mysterious place which inspires us to reflect many of the things 

*3) Jesus Spent time in the Desert*

Before beginning of His mission Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights in the desert 

These days He spent in prayer, fasting and preparing for his future mission. So desert became a place of prayer, fasting and preparing for the future mission to Jesus 

It also became a place of knowing the strength of Jesus since Devil tempted Him but He was not disturbed. This also shows the determination and focus of Jesus. 

It also became a place to temptations, since devil tempted Him for three times 

*4) Israelites were in the Desert for 40 years*

Before they entered into the promised Land they spent 40 years in the wilderness. 

During this 40 years wilderness became a place of 

God experience

Human struggle

The strength of God 

The power of God 

God working through the ordinary human beings - Mosses 

God's commandments 

The power of prayer 

The weakness of the people 

God's providence

So desert became a special place in the lives of Israelites. 

*5) John the Baptist in the Desert*

In today's Gospel He is taking us to the Desert and asks us to do the Following things 

To Prepare  way for the Lord,

To make straight his paths.

To fill thd e very valley

To level the every mountain 

To winden every roads and to make them straight,

To  make every rough ways smooth,

Evey flesh to see the salvation of God.

This is the Purpose of calling us into the desert

*6) My conscience is my Desert*

We need to locate our desert in our conscience

It is a voice of John the Baptist crying out, to alert us to know about the importance of the desert 

All the beautiful things we analysed about the desert are applicable to our conscience

The moment when we enter into this desert, our world changes  and we reflect about many good things 

It is place for intense meditation, prayer and spiritual renewal. 

So we need to repair this desert, by using the techniques of John the Baptist, by straightening the paths, filling the vallyes, leveling the mountains of hatred, and jealousy, widening the roads of generosity and humility, making the rough ways of pride, revenge, and arrogance smooth to listen to the voice of God in the desert of our conscience. 

So how is my desert? The conscience??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*