John the Baptist: the voice in the wilderness Luke 3:1-6
Imaginative Contemplation
The passage begins by setting the historical scene. Although the message is for all times, we need to read scripture in the light of its historic and physical reality.
The word of God came to John in the wilderness.
He was called to go to all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Isaiah foretold this time.
Enter into the scene
The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’
For further reflection
Discuss with Jesus the following points:
Prepare the way of the Lord.
• How do I prepare for the way of the Lord? Do I allow time, space, attentiveness to hear God’s call? Do I listen to God as he speaks to me through the scriptures, through other people, through the circumstances of my life
Lord, help me to prepare for your coming in my life today. Help me to make space for prayer and reflection.
Make his paths straight.
• What do I need to straighten in my life? Do I tell the truth? Do I live the truth? Do I make judgements without seeking to know the whole story?
Lord, help me to walk in a straight path, with my means and ends travelling in the same direction. Let me leave judgement to you.
Every valley shall be filled.
• With what do I fill my ‘valley’? With gossip, with empty words, with poor use of time? Or do I try to see needs that I can fill, lonely people I can visit, prayer for the needs of the world?
• Do I sometimes feel depressed? How do I counter this feeling?
Lord, help me to counter negativity with positive thinking. Help me to see the good in all people and to trust in your guidance.
Every mountain and hill shall be brought low.
• Do I put myself above other people?
• Do I have a racist attitude to people who are different?
• Do I seek praise and honour for who I am or what I do?
Lord, help me to recognise the value of little things. ‘From little things, big things grow.’ Help me to value spare moments, to share positive feed-back, to do the little things well.
The crooked shall be made straight.
• Are my dealings with others open, or do I hide my intentions, convictions and thoughts?
Lord, help me to go straight to you by the shortest way.
The rough ways made smooth.
• Do I speak without thinking?
• Do I confront other people unnecessarily?
• Are my words and actions kind, or are they thoughtless?
• How do I respond when someone upsets me or says something that seems harsh?
Lord, please help me to soften the rough parts in me. Help me to take the time I need to maintain a calm demeanour. Help me to become an instrument of peace.
All flesh shall see the salvation of God.
• Do I believe that God wants to save all people?
• What is my attitude to criminals, to people of other races or religions?