That John the Baptist appears in the desert is problematic. Sure, it is the fulfillment of prophecy. John the Baptist’s appearance in the desert was seen as a direct fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, particularly from Isaiah 40:3, which foretold a “voice crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord.’” His rough appearance (camel’s hair, leather belt) and wilderness lifestyle also mirrored the prophet Elijah, fulfilling prophecies about Elijah’s return to prepare for the Messiah. We see this in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
But that he showed up in the desert is still a problem. In the time of Jesus, the People of Israel avoided the desert at all costs. They wouldn’t go anywhere near it. Not just because the desert is an uncomfortable place—dry, desolate, dirty, gritty, sandy, extremely hot in the daytime and very intensely cold at night. There is no food, no water and there are dangerous animals, poisonous snakes and insects, and savage beasts.
Remember the Israelites held troubling memories of 40 years in the desert. It was for them the place of “massah” and “meribah.” In Exodus 16:2 massah is the place of quarreling, of complaining. They wondered if God had forgotten them. They even questioned whether God intended to lead them to the desert to do away with them. In Exodus 17:2, meribah is the place of conflict and the test. The desert is the place of curses, fear, evil, death. It’s a god-forsaken place. The people complained against God and Moses even to the point of saying that slavery in Egypt was better than the desert.
Not only is John in the desert, but people from everywhere are going out to meet him there. One could say that John went “viral.” And why? We know that John, living in the desert, wore camel skins and that he ate locusts and wild honey. He wore itchy, smelly animal hides, and he ate sugar coated bugs. Wouldn’t you go out to see him? What a sight! A spectacle even! Again, why did people go out to see him? Curiosity, some kind of entertainment?
Look at it this way. Our environment changes us. We adapt to where we live, work, pray, and play. In the summer you dress lightly. In the winter we wear layers. We have work clothes, school clothes and church clothes. Some kids are tall while their parents are short in stature. A change in diet can affect generations. Some inner-city kids dress in layers. Psychologists say it’s “body armor” worn to shield themselves from what they perceive as a hostile and dangerous environment. And they unconsciously take on a mean look. They look dangerous so that everyone will leave them alone.
I’ve changed since I arrived here six months ago. I’m getting accustomed to the Rhode Island “R.” We adapt and change according to our environment. John the Baptist did too. He ate the food of the desert and wore the clothes of the desert, but the desert was also changed and transformed by him. He changed the desert, the place of death, evil, pain and sadness into the place of encounter with grace, goodness, hope and new life, and ultimately with Christ the living and true God. He did it by just being there. Just by showing up.
A part of the baptism ritual that is often overlooked in the anointing. We focus so much on the water that we forget that we are anointed prophets. With Holy Chrism each one of us is called to proclaim Christ. These final weeks of Advent, reclaim your prophetic vocation.
The desert is real today. Social isolation, anxiety, and depression. Economic, educational, and food deserts. Places and spaces where there is neither help nor hope. The spiritual desert of boredom, of monotonous routines, of habits of sin and shame. Take a moment to think about and name your desert. Is your marriage a desert, your family or home? Is your workplace or school desert? What about your parish? What about our Diocese? What about your heart?
Prophets show up in the desert with Good News. Even though the people of Jesus’ time had long left the desert. John’s appearance in the desert is a metaphor. Without Jesus Christ they continued to walk in the desert of sin and eternal death. John the Baptist offered them Good News. I need you to show up in my desert with a prophetic Word of Hope. I want to do the same for you. We need to show up in each other’s deserts and point to Christ. To live out our Baptism promises means embracing our prophetic vocation. God is here! God in Christ has conquered sin and death! Show up in someone’s desert today proclaiming a Word of Hope!
