Isaiah 9:18-10:4
Psalms 33, 50, 59, and 60
2 Peter 2:10b-16
Matthew 3:1-12
“Prepare the Way!” (Matt.
3:1-12)
The readings for today, with the exception of one
joyful little Psalm (Ps.33), are all fairly harsh – Isaiah is railing about the
Lord’s anger against Israel, Peter is warning of false teachers and their
certain destruction … and then there is John the Baptist.
Matthew has properly introduced Jesus with the
(brief) story of his birth in Ch. 1; then in Ch. 2 we are introduced to the
Magi and learn of Herod’s atrocity against humanity. Then whoosh! Ch. 3 fast-forwards
thirty years and we meet the very colorful cousin of our Lord Jesus who is
preaching repentance from his pulpit in the desert. “Repent, for the kingdom of
heaven is near!” His warning to the Jewish elders is clear – the winnowing fork
of Jesus is meant for them – a prediction that does little to endear either
John or Jesus to the Pharisees and Sadducees.
There is much trouble and sadness in the world
today, even as we prepare our homes and families for the joyful Christmas
season, and we do not have to travel across the world to find it. As we reflect
on our blessings, I pray that we all may be mindful of the needs of those
around us, and the challenge of John the Baptist who calls on us to, “Prepare
the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” (Matt. 3b)
Peace!
Vicki Cravens