In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.’”
Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
Lord,
John continues to cry out
calling for repentance,
making a way in the wilderness -
in the wild-ness of life.
As I await your coming,
give me the courage
to examine my life
to confess my sins
and to make different choices:
righteous choices,
choices for justice, kindness, and mercy,
choices of grace and peace,
choices of compassion and love,
choices worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Help me prepare the way
in my life,
in my family,
in my circle of influence,
in the world
for you.
Amen.