December 6, 2022

Isaiah 40:1-11

A voice cries, ‘Prepare in the wilderness a way for the Lord.

Make a straight highway for our God across the desert.

This cry from the prophet Isaiah reminds us of St. John the Baptist. He is that charismatic figure, prophet, man of God, who announced the coming of our Lord. He is known to have asked even demanded for a radical transformation of the people of Israel. Well, a radical transformation of you and I if we are to receive the Lord. His preaching is famously known for the word… REPENT. Sit with that word for a second, say it out loud “ I must Repent.” Does that make you feel good or guilty? Frankly it makes me uncomfortable, I immediately think I have been doing something wrong. My Catholic guilt kicks in big time.

The word that is translated as repent is “metanoia”. It actually has little to do with the whole “I must be doing something wrong.” From my understanding, metanoia means “change the way you are thinking” or “go beyond the way you are knowing.” The invitation is to think differently. Do you know how many valleys are filled in and mountains made low when I make a firm decision to stop thinking myself as a victim? The world suddenly changes when we become bringers of joy. What kind of thinking needs to change for you so that the kingdom of God opens up?