Faithful Conversations #41
Introduction to Readers:
The Wilderness of Virginia
The notion of the wilderness has been on my mind this week owing to the readings from Isaiah and Mark. The word derives from the Middle English and means uninhabited, uncultivated, or wild territory; desolate land or desert. We run into the wilderness frequently in scripture, often as a backdrop to significant events — God appearing to Abraham, the 40-year journey of the Israelites as they fled Egypt, and Jesus’ grueling 40 days of testing, just to name three. I will explore the idea of wilderness further in my reflections this week. Mark, by the way, is featured in Year B of the Lectionary, so we will visit him many times. Thanks for your continued interest in exploring the Bible!
Note: I do utilize various hyperlinks within the body here for further exploration on your part if interested! They are a different color and italicized. If you click out to the supplemental information, simply click back to return to the blog. The images included, mostly, are from Wikimedia Commons, and therefore are in the public domain.
Readings for the Second Sunday in Advent
Isaiah 40: 1-11
Psalm 85: 1-2, 8-13
2 Peter 3: 8-15a
Mark 1: 1-8
Mosaic of the prophet Isaiah in the Dome of Immanuel in St Mark’s Basilica (Venice)
First Reading: Isaiah 40: 1-11
Comfort, O comfort my people,
says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that she has served her term,
that her penalty is paid,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.
3 A voice cries out:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
5 Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
6 A voice says, “Cry out!”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass;
their constancy is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers; the flower fades,
when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers; the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.
9 Get you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good news;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good news;
lift it up, do not fear;
say to the cities of Judah,
“Here is your God!”
10 See, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
his reward is with him
and his recompense before him.
11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms
and carry them in his bosom
and gently lead the mother sheep.
Mark the Evangelist by Frans Hals (1583-1666)
Gospel: Mark 1: 1-8
The beginning of the good news (gospel) of Jesus Christ. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way,
3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight,’ ”
4 so John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness,proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And the whole Judean region and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him and were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
This Week’s Reflection: “Confronting the Wilderness”
As metaphors go, the wilderness can symbolize many things: a fearful place, a place of testing, a place of transformation, a place where we confront God. Isaiah voiced such sentiments six centuries before Christ walked the earth. The second part of this grand book (chapters 40-55), takes place after Babylon rose to power, destroyed Jerusalem, and took thousands of the Jewish people prisoner and away from their home — into the wilderness of a foreign land. The prophet assures the people of their future liberation from Babylon, voicing words of hope (verses 3-5, and 11).
The Appearance of Christ Before the People, by Ivanov, (1837-1857)
More than five hundred years later, Mark, the evangelist, after succinctly proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ (verse 1), draws his first-generation Christian readers back to Isaiah (40:3) and Malachi (3:1), announcing John the Baptist’s arrival on the scene. In crisp and clear language, Mark connects his Jewish audience to the unfolding story of Jesus Christ. Throngs of people come to meet John in the wilderness. And like those earliest nascent Christians, this “wilderness man,” ignites our imaginations. But the story is not about John. Rather, it is about the arrival of Jesus and the powerful moment of his baptism (note verses 9-11, beyond today’s reading).
What are we to make of all this? Both Isaiah and Mark provide us with Advent moments — assurances of God’s presence in our world, moments of energetic hope. In August, Mary Beth and I witnessed an Advent moment in Anchorage, Alaska. First, some context. The city of Anchorage has roughly 300,000 people, 40% of Alaska’s total population. Surprisingly (or not), more than 3,000 residents are homeless. While many are hiding in the shadows, others occupy a visible and extensive tent city. Let’s imagine their situation as we head into the winter months! Further, while Indigenous people make up 15% of Alaska’s overall population, they account for 40% of those who are unhoused. We spent Friday of our mission week at the Hope Soup Kitchen in downtown Anchorage. We helped prepare and serve the noon meal, interacting with the workers, other volunteers, and those who came for the meal. Around 11:00, hundreds and hundreds of people started streaming into the area, most of them people of color. Each had a unique story of how they landed in this space. Picture them walking out of the wilderness of their world to a place of sanctuary, a place where they might encounter God’s powerful presence in the form of a meal and fellowship. And here’s the grand and humbling revelation. In my clumsy attempts to converse with many, it became crystal clear they were ministering to me. I saw Jesus in their faces and heard his voice in their stories. An Advent moment.
Soli Deo Gloria
Hope Soup Kitchen, Anchorage, Alaska
Prayer (Inspired by the Hope Soup Kitchen experience):
Lord God, we pray for people near and far who are experiencing the grim reality of poverty, hunger, and homelessness. May you strengthen them and provide them with hope. We pray also, Lord, that you be with those who take on the work of assisting them day to day — leaders, volunteers, clergy, and social workers. May your compassion for our world — and especially those who are suffering — continue to be present in their efforts. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
AND, A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY!
Let’s extend our Faithful Conversation with some in-person discussion on Sunday mornings after our worship experience (10:45-11:30). Join us for our informal discussion of the Lectionary readings — no preparation is necessary — simply bring your Bible and be open to sharing and listening! All our welcome! Click here or on my mugshot for a short screencast with details!
This week marks the start of the 
