THE VOICE IN THE DESERT – A VOICE FOR THOSE IN THE WORLD’S WILDERNESS
Blessed are you Lord God of Israel for you have come to visit your people so that we may be free……..and you young child shall go before him and prepare his way. (Lk 1:68-79)
These very word from the canticle of Zacharias (Benedictus) proclaim the Goodness of God who accomplishes his promise. Zacharias was a priest of the temple, he and his wife Elizabeth faced the stigmata of being barren which was considered a curse – they were over the fertile age limit. Like many couples of today that long to have children, they suffered in silence and sort resolve.
Medicine and its science have come a long way now days with various alternatives given for such situations, yet nothing is guaranteed – treatment along with hoping for the best provides a somewhat acceptable remedy. However helpful such may be, yet the phenomenon of miscarriage cuts deep to the core of any parent’s hope for a promising future.
Yet, miracles do happen, and this is not to say we must pray things away so God waves the magic wand…..it is about trust and collaborating with the rhythm of faith, hope, and love that is nurtured through mutual trust. God in actual fact does surprise the very least of us at what his hand accomplishes, especially when our trust is wholehearted and the sufferings endured are not in vain!
Such miracles have occurred amongst our very own parishioners (clergy) who exhausted various avenues to no avail yet surrendered to the infinite mercy of God, at which he answered back with a succession of life’s gifts in the form of bundles of joy! They may not have had a visitation from an angelic being as many barren couples had throughout Holy Scripture, but they trusted in the nurturing love of God through the Divine Mysteries (Sacraments) of Holy Mother Church.
When Archangel St. Gabriel appeared to Zacharias before the Altar of Incense (the place that prayers were offered onto the Lord on behalf of the people) Zacharias heart was blocked. His mind (earthly logic) was switched on instead, even though the Archangel was transparent with him regarding the end of their barrenness. Like many of us, when God intervenes, we tend to examine things rather than except the gift in wholehearted thanks.
Zacharias doubt due to logic regarding his advanced age became an impediment, not in the sense that God would withhold the gift, but in order that he could better appreciate and ponder (open his spiritual mind) his mouth was silenced – due also to shock. Having stated thus, our protecting angels never cause alarm, and as written in Holy Scripture, they calm and reassure with the blessing of peace! (Lk 1:13)
Normally the child would be called after the father or grandparent as is custom in many traditions, yet God decreed that this child be devoted (consecrated) to him via reflecting his blessings. That is why it is ever so important in our Christian tradition to name our children after a holy person, so that the spirit of this saint may vouch for the child and protect them – interceding for their life before the presence of the Most High. Hence, at John’s presentation, Zacharias acclaims the canticle of the Benedictus in testimony to the marvels of God worked amongst his people!
That which was written via the prophets exhorted: “Here is my messenger which shall declare amongst you who paves the way for my visitation.” He is the one who cries aloud in the wilderness: “Prepare yourselves via paving a strait path for the Lord – He now comes in our midst!” (Mk 1: 2-3)
“His name shall be John!” (Lk 1:63) The name itself is consecrated to God who bestows grace upon those who search and ask of him. Names give us identity and it is wonderful when we are bestowed names of the holy so that they may accompany us throughout our life.
John was the last of the Old Testament prophets and first and best amongst men, for he was chosen to prepare a great event in the history of our planet – the intervention of He who Is the origin, source, and grace of life itself: God the All Holy Trinity!
As the old world had legacies attached to bloodline, so too was John part of the presbyteral line via his father Zacharias who served as a priest at the altar of incense. Yet, ritualism, clericalism, pharisaic mindsets and religious zealots hijacked the house of prayer which disintegrated into a den of thieves (Mt 21:13) nothing has changed in that department!
Therefore, it was time for renewal, reconciliation, justice, mercy, compassion and peace which only the anointed high priest (bishop) could bring about; the anointed one who is true bishop of his Church would then come in our midst via the heralding of John.
Hence, when God entered into the very fabric of our being via taking bone, flesh and blood from our Holy Mother Mariam – the psalms of David the King were instantly fulfilled: “Mercy and Truth are joined – Righteousness and Peace have embraced and kissed!” (Ps 85:10)
Thus, John ran from his presbyteral duties from 13 years of age and withdrew into the monastic communities of the desert to commune with God and grow in holiness. The old ways were no longer sufficient, nothing and no one could fix the problem that had been seized by worldly pursuits and career – the lust for acclamation amongst the people rather than being acceptable to God in holy service.
Although there are various levels of monasticism, yet John trained himself to reach the angelic state where he lived on bare essentials and the Holy Scriptures – the Word of God (Jesus) became his daily bread! His simplicity was mirrored via that which consisted of his clothing – a camel’s hair garment tied with a belt of raw leather.
He ate once a day consisting with a diet of wild locust berries (not locusts as insects) for “Nazarite monks were vegans” and honey. (Mat 3:4) Therefore, his ministry of the word was rendered in the spirit of metanoia which is the Greek word for change – the humbling of one’s self in order to place that which is truly important first, whilst placing aside all those things that impede our growth towards God.
John was truly the one who re-echoed the voice of the Prophet Isaiah to awaken the people who dwell in delusion with the message of amending one’s life so that the one who is the Light of the world (Jesus) could transform their very existence; the means of new life which is eternal. (Is 40: 3-5)
This was the confirmation of John’s prophetic ministry that sealed him as the last of the Old Testament prophets, yet the waters of repentance which he administered at the shores of the Jordan was the affirmation of the presbyteral ministry to come - the New Testament Church which Christ sanctified. In other words, Jesus confirms John in his priesthood – validating his ministry and testifies him as the very child who came into the world to prepare his way (Mat 3:11)
Yet, we see the obsession of guruism in our times and church communities where clergy regardless of rank thrive in having a following via the sound of their voice rather than the work of their hands. We have a saying in Italian: “Se non lo vedi – lo senti!” – If you don’t see him you will most definitely hear him. This is unfortunately true throughout ecclesial history and something which John did not take kindly to.
People were afraid of him for he was controversial – not in the sense of the loud mouths that are full of air which we see these days; in contrast, John spoke with authority and had the gift to see through people and tell them exactly what their problem was and why they are contributing to alienation!
John was not the mad preacher in the desert that people often mistake him to be, nor the hell, fire, and brimstone that preachers of the fundamentalist persuasion subscribe to. He was very much a monastic in tune with life and its surroundings.
When people speak about John being the ferocious denouncer of sin (sin is nothing but alienation from God) such fail to understand context. This of course is due to lack of apostolic succession – interpretation of Holy Scripture within THE CHURCH and not outside, nor one’s personal gist on things!!!
There were various factors at play. The Romans set up their puppet rulers amongst the Hebrew populace and Herod Antipas (20-39AD) was one of them. He of course decided that as king of Judea, he could do what he pleased as he is above any state or divine law. Therefore, he stole his brother Philip’s (26-34AD) wife Herodias (15-39AD) and of course this is a violation of the commandments.
The problem was much greater as this violation of both laws would create collateral damage, and this is where John was concerned for the welfare of the people. Herodias father Aristobulus IV (81BC-7AD) was a vindictive man especially if any wrong was done towards him. He had burnt down towns before with people in it and there was nothing stopping him from waging another attack concerning Herod’s lust. Hence, why John denounces Herod and Herodias for these violations and for reasons of social security!
He then disclosed onto them concerning the one who is to come saying: “The one who shall come after me is the almighty – I am unworthy to even minister onto him via removing his sandals. I merely baptise you with water, yet he is the baptism and fullness of the Holy Spirit!” (Mk 1: 7-8)
Humility is the key to the Kingdom, for the Lord confirmed such when he referred to acquiring the blessed inheritance with the mindset of innocence and simplicity of a child (Mt 18:3) Indeed humility is most lacking amongst those in church circles – the deception of the humility mask has indeed caused alienation from God with the effect of collateral damage rendered in emotional homicide to potential faithful.
In a few months, the Church will embark on its Advent (Nativity Fast) Season - journeying towards the celebration of Holy Nativity, Epiphany and its climax: the Theophany of the Lord (the revelation of God in the waters of the Jordan) May we draw strength from the grace of God bestowed us in Holy Baptism – the confirmation that we are God’s DNA: an extension of his hands and feet in the world for we are made as his icons – the presence of his Spirit within!
Let us be assured of the voice in the desert re-echoing in the wilderness of our times through the dignity God the Son has bestowed us via his coming amongst us; the granting of purpose and freedom to a captive world! We are called to Salvation, rather than the drone of damnation which many so called Christian groups fathom along with their apocalyptic jargon.
In actual fact, the Book of Revelation was rejected by the Church up until the late 4th century when it was merely squeezed into the Canon of Scripture (biblical code of acceptance) as a token to St. John the Evangelist. We need to be wary about it and rewire ourselves on the conviction that if God lives in our minds and in our hearts as the Ancient Prayer of the Shema Israel (Deut 6:4-6) dictates, and we love God through one another as the Lord commanded, then we have nothing to fear come what may!!!
St. John the Baptist and forerunner of the Lord, let the courage and strength of your exhortations be a comfort, consolation, and means of vocation for those of us who are impeded to speak out or weary of surroundings; the gift of presence and determination for exceling to the full potential of our race – for the Lord declared you as the best of men! (Mt 11:11) Thanking you for being by my side within my ministry – today 10 years of Holy Priesthood, and I place my episcopal ministry under the sure hope of thy protection Glorious St. John, the patron of monastics of the Lord.
Within the streams of the Jordan the Lord stood in its midst and exhorted onto John: “Do not be afraid to minister onto me the water of repentance: I am the new Adam and through these waters which I sanctify – all that is decayed shall be restored and salvation bestowed!”
Kontakion of the Fore feast of Holy Theophany.
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