Come to the desert with John the Baptist
According to some traditional wisdom, whenever the elephant wants to drink water from the river or the lake or reservoir, it first unsettles the water. The reason is that, as the surface of the still water acts like a mirror, the elephant would not love to see its own image through the still water because it comes across as another wild animal coming from the water to fight the elephant.
In the Bible, the desert usually represents a time of the testing of faith, a time of preparation, purification, temptation, and transformation. On this second Sunday of Advent, John the Baptist invites us to the desert. He wants us to prepare ourselves for the “Good News” (Mark 1:1) that is coming into the world by joining him in the desert. There we can look at our image in the mirror. Advent is a time to focus on our life and examine conscience. More often, we are like the elephant, we run away from the silence of the examining our conscience because we are afraid to face our real image.
Yet, Advent is a time to work on ourselves. It is an opportunity to take a break from watching the bad things, the evil actions of others, but focus on ourselves. Advent gives us the opportunity to become better spouses, better children, better parents, better priests, better Deacons, and better people in the family, the community, and the world.
It is a time to experience and recognize divine providence; divine provision. While they had no bridge to cross the red sea, God provided a passage through the waters for the children of Israel. While making their journey through the desert, God fed them with the manna from heaven and gave them water from the rock. God is in control of our lives. He can help us even where we have no human connections - for our help ultimately comes from God. (Ps 124:8) He is the source of our satisfaction.
John’s preaching is clear and simple. The time of the desert is a time of change and transformation. This is an invitation to level the mountain and fill the valley. This is a calling to give up our pride and to become humble, virtuous, faithful, and generous. We must check ourselves through the mirror in order to avoid allowing the distractions of this world to take over the preparation and the meaning of Christmas. This examination will help us to grow in our knowledge and relationship with God. Always remember, my dear friend, Christianity is not a destination, but a journey towards heaven. May we prepare ourselves to receive the Good news of Jesus Christ by being apostles of peace and unity!
Come to the desert with John the Baptist.
Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC