In the Desert

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator

If you are at all familiar with the book entitled "Eats Shoots and Leaves," you, like I, appreciate the importance of punctuation in the English language. Punctuation developed rather late in the history of written language. Hebrew, Greek and Latin did not employ it at the time that the Scriptures were first written, nor was it in vogue at the time that the Gospels were first translated into Latin. Today's readings present us with an interesting dilemma that revolves around punctuation.

The first reading from Isaiah presents us with the following quotation: A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the Lord. (Isaiah 40:3) The Gospel quotes the prophet but punctuates the sentence differently: A voice cries out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord. (Mark 1:3) While Isaiah seems to be saying that we should prepare the way in the desert, Mark's version highlights the fact that the voice itself is in the desert. Mark's version focuses on the voice of John the Baptist. Isaiah's version focuses on the placement of the road or the way. Yes, it's a very technical point. However, it can be argued that the placement of that colon makes all the difference in the world.

Israel's love affair with God began in the desert. After leading the people out of Egypt with Moses at the head of the line, God initiated a covenant with them as they camped in the Sinai desert. Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, the sacred writers return to the desert as the symbol of their special relationship. Think of the Messianic prophecies which proclaim that God will transform the desert into a garden, or the oracles which state that God will lead Israel back to the desert to woo her all over again. Those who "punctuated" the text of the prophet obviously felt that the desert was the important symbol in the oracle from chapter forty.

However, the Gospel focuses our attention on the Baptist. He is the voice in the desert, the one who challenges the people to get ready for the advent of the Lord by repentance and conversion. The evangelist is evoking the image of Elijah, another desert dweller, the one who was to return to herald the Messiah.

The importance of the message, however, does not rely upon the punctuation. No matter which version becomes the focus of our prayer, the message to those of us who are waiting is clear: our responsibility lies in heeding the messenger and the message. John the Baptist reminds us of our responsibility to continue to proclaim the message while Isaiah reminds us of the importance of our relationship with God. Both are important components of the Advent journey.