Prepare

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Prepare

Isaiah     John

Repenting     Enduring     Welcoming

Make Straight God's Paths

Hope

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scriptures:   Isaiah 35: 10

Those whom God has helped will come back and enter Jerusalem with rejoicing, crowned with eternal joy. 

They will come together with great happiness.

Sorrow and mourning will be no more!

Matthew 11: 7 to 11a

Jesus began to speak to the people about John the Baptist, "What did you go out to the desert to see?

A reed swayed by the wind?

Really what were you looking for?

Was it someone who was wearing fancy clothing?

Those who wear fancy clothes live in royal palaces.

Then why did you go out to the desert?

Were you looking for a prophet?

Yes, I tell you, and even more than a prophet.

This is what is written by Isaiah that tells us about John the Baptist:

'Look, I am sending my messenger before you; this messenger will prepare the road for your journey.' 

Amen, I say to you, John the Baptist is the greatest of those who were born."

Reflection

Isaiah speaks about a time of great joy. He is speaking about the time when the people will return from the Exile.

It was a difficult time for the Jewish people who had been taken captive and brought to Babylon. They wondered what would happen to them and if they would ever return to their homeland.

Isaiah assures them that God will help them. God has not forgotten and abandoned them. God will lead them back to Jerusalem and there will be great rejoicing.

We learn more about that time of joy in the reading from Matthew. John the Baptist will prepare the way for the Messiah.

Jesus has come to share the Good News and John the Baptist will encourage the people to repent and to prepare their hearts to receive the Gospel.

As Kathy's poem celebrates, Jesus comes to plant HOPE in our lives.

There are times when we might get discouraged and feel that things are getting worse. Isaiah and John the Baptist knew that people could feel abandoned and forgotten.

They both point out that God always wants to lead us on a journey of hope. God will walk with us and give us prophets to point the way.

Enjoy your walk!

1. What has been a time of great joy for you?

2. Can you think of a time in your life when you have felt God helping you?

3. How are you preparing your heart to receive the HOPE that Jesus wants to bring to you?

4. What do you feel as your reflect on Kathy's photo?