By Rev. Canon David B. Tabo-oy
v1At that time John the Baptist came to the desert of Judea and started preaching. v2″Turn away from your sins,” he said, “because the Kingdom of heaven is near!” v3John was the man the prophet Isaiah was talking about when he said,
“Someone is shouting in the desert,
‘Prepare a road for the Lord;
make a straight path for him to travel!’” – Matthew 3:1-12
Voice in the wilderness. This is an English idiom for someone who expresses an idea or opinion that is not popular or that the individual is the sole person expressing that particular opinion with the suggestion that the opinion is then ignored (Wikipedia). This idiomatic expression is made alive by a person who embodied the spirit of the words in his words and actions in our Gospel reading today, John the Baptist. Who is John the Baptist?
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John’s adult life was characterized by devotion and surrender to Jesus Christ and His kingdom. John’s voice was a “lone voice in the wilderness” (John 1:23) as he proclaimed the coming of the Messiah to a people who desperately needed a Savior. He was the precursor for the modern-day evangelist as he unashamedly shared the good news of Jesus Christ. He was a man filled with faith and a role model to those of us who wish to share our faith with others.
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Last Thursday I was given the opportunity to share the theological and moral perspective of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines and of the wider believing world regarding environmental concerns particularly, CLIMATE CHANGE AND JUSTICE. Let us be informed that the Episcopal Church and the whole Anglican Communion and other members of the Christian faith confession have adopted the Five Marks of Mission which somehow united the people of faith into one focus for the fulfilment of God’s Mission, here and now: “Safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth…” the 5th Mark of Mission.
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The Five Marks of Mission as adopted by the Episcopal Church in the Philippines with this Mission Statement is such summarized:
“The Episcopal Church in the Philippines exists to
· proclaim with integrity the fulfilling of God’s Mission in this world by proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom of God;
· baptizing teaching and nurturing new believers;
· responding to human needs by loving service;
· by seeking to transform unjust society; combating any forms of violence and being instruments of peace and reconciliation;
· and to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.”
These advocacies and faith confessions as shared and affirmed last Thursday’s Panel Discussion on “Climate Change” (of which I was part) by different Christian churches representations, the Islam faith and the Indigenous beliefs need to be enhanced in order to be more than just a voice in the wilderness. That could be related to John the Baptist’s proclaiming repentance and the coming of the Messiah of our Gospel reading this Sunday. This is so because of the corporate, economic, and cultural considerations (and compromises) of any ecclesial or faith confessions to the worldly, capitalist system that mostly control our system then and now. But then again we must talk and witness… !!! even if we are the ‘lone rangers’ or a ‘voice speaking in the wilderness.’ This is our calling, God’s mission ——by which we are called to do.
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Not to be totally diverted of the message of John the Baptist and of his message: let us be prepared and we can do that by repentance – “change of heart”. And when we say that, we turn away from the old life of sin – and we can be strong in the preaching and sharing of the same message – EVEN… like a voice in the desert.
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We prepare for Christmas by repenting. Repenting in the Biblical sense is more than having a change of heart or a feeling of regret. It is more than a New Year’s Eve resolution. Repentance is a turning away and a turning back. A turning away from sin and a turning back to God. And this is the message of Advent… we are on the Second Sunday of it. It is also the message of Climate Change…. For us to repent from our sinful way of treating our planet earth. You do believe on this message? If not then…. I am a ‘voice in the desert.’
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Let us pray.
Merciful God. Who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for your salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.**
