"Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths."

Out of the desert comes a man. How long has he survived on his own. Days? Weeks? Months? We do not know. His voice cries out. Is it a loud powerful voice, or has is it weakened due to the arid air, scarcity of water and desert dust? We do not know.

We do know the message the voice proclaims. Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths (Mk 1:3). It is given to us by the last and greatest prophet, the forerunner and older cousin of Jesus - John the Baptist.

This announcement only heard by a few that day is meant for all of humanity. It is an invitation given to us now in 2020. It is an invitation extended to us at the beginning of every Advent season. It is the invitation to prepare our hearts for the arrival of the Christ Child. The command to clear away all that may obstruct the Lamb of God from entering more completely into our lives.

During Advent, let us ask the Father for the grace, strength and desire to put his son first above all else. May we say with John, "one mightier that I is coming and I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals."

Fr. Joe Sanderson