Prepare The Way

On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry (Tune: Winchester New – 5vv) [with lyrics for congregations]

“Prepare Ye” ~ Godspell (1973)

• Mark 1:2-12
  As it is written in the Prophets:
  “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
  Who will prepare Your way before You.”
  “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
  ‘Prepare the way of the LORD;
  Make His paths straight.'” John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.
• Matthew 3:1-11
  In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!’ For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
  “ The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
  ‘Prepare the way of the LORD;
  Make His paths straight.’” Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
• Luke 3:3-9
   And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying:
  “ The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
  ‘Prepare the way of the LORD;
  Make His paths straight.
  Every valley shall be filled
  And every mountain and hill brought low;
  The crooked places shall be made straight
  And the rough ways smooth;
  And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father.” For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Journal/Discussion Question

After watching the selection from the Godspell, you might want to journal and reflect upon the joy of the call which allows one to spontaneously leave all behind, e.g. “Joyfully do I promise to live in Evangelical poverty with you, my Sisters…”

“Christmas Story” Countdown – 10 Days till Christmas

Scripture Luke 1:5-80

At first it all went easily with her.
But often times in climbing
she already felt the wonders stirring in her body.
And panting then
she stood upon the lofty Judean hills.

Not by the land below,
she was encompassed by her plenitude.
Walking she felt that no one ever could surpass
the bigness she was feeling.

Now,
she had to lay her hand upon the other woman’s body,
still more ripe than hers.
And they both tottered toward one another
and touched each other’s garments and hair.

Each, with a sanctuary in her keeping,
sought refuge with her closest woman kin.
The Savior in her was just in bloom,
but joy already in her cousin’s womb
had quickened the little Baptist into leaping.

“Visitation of the Virgin” Rainer Maria Rilke

Journal/Discussion Question

After watching the selection from the Nativity Story, you might want to journal and reflect upon the joy of the mothers and their children in utero. When have you experienced joy in new life?

Baptism of Jesus, Donald Jackson, Copyright 2002, The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

John the Baptist: Joy on the Periphery
Widening the Circle of Friends

Jesus, who is Providence incarnate, has called us “friends.” Our international congregation of Divine Providence, which includes vowed members, associates, Providence partners, and the family of Providence is becoming an intercultural “Circle of Friends.” This Advent season we will join together in prayer and reflection through the lens of John the Baptist, the Advent prophet of joy. May our Circle widen to accompany and embrace those, like John, who exist on the margins, the periphery.

Each week, a different aspect of John’s spirituality and ministry will be explored.

December 1, 2024 – Leaping for Joy

December 8, 2024 – Prepare the Way/Baptizing on Jordan’s banks

December 15, 2024 – What did you go to the desert to see?

December 22, 2024 – He must increase, I must decrease

We hope this experience will provide us with another means of sharing and growing in Providence spirituality.

The Sisters Of Divine Providence – Go Tell It On The Mountain