December 7

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.'” from Matthew 3:1-12

Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt, Minister for Environmental Justice

“We’ll have to be very careful how we allow our needs to shape us.”
from Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

 

Have you ever felt like the lone, solitary voice “crying out in the wilderness”? I suspect many an abolitionist has had that experience at one point (or perhaps many points). While our culture may often romanticize the plight of a single brave soul willing to speak out when others will not, the lonely reality of such experiences is often less dreamy. It is for this reason that I often like to think of John the Baptist as the first drop of water to hit the parched sand. Maybe we sometimes have to be the first drop, but the beautiful thing is that the downpour will eventually splash onto the scene. A movement will eventually spring forth. To evoke another scripture, justice will roll down like a mighty stream. Dry land shall become green pastures. Justice is not meant to be a solitary endeavor. It is meant to be a collective celebration as countless drops of rain bring forth new life.

Prayer

Inhale: I am one voice of many,
Exhale: preparing the way for Love.