Ah, John. What did they go into the desert to see? A prince adorned in fine robes? A powerful King? A rich man with camel trains laden with fine silks and ointments? A philosopher?

No, some itinerant preacher from a no name family and no name village who is announcing the Messiah, the long awaited one, the longed for one. Does this preacher stroke the ego of the High Priest or Governor, ruling classes and occupying army? No, he preaches repentance and forgiveness – turn away from all that is evil and embrace the heart of the God of the Old Testament.

So often, the prophet is rejected simply because they do not come in the guise with which we expect them to. So often, we reject the prophet because their message is ‘too close to the bone’. Their message unsettles, disturbs, and takes us out of our comfort zone.

Years ago, I travelled to India for a conference. Fr Jerry Rosio sj was a keynote speaker. He spoke powerfully to us of how much he had learned about and experienced God through the poorest of the poor among the Dalit caste of India. Then, Fr Jerry paused. He said, ‘Disturb us, O Lord, disturb us, O Lord…’ He repeated this mantra over and over again – slowly, very slowly. His voice took on an almost soporific tone. After about two minutes, my ego said, ‘Ok, I got your point!’ But he continued. Then, beautifully, I found myself being ‘disturbed’ – deeply, and my Advent God whispered to my heart and opened my eyes to an Emmanuel – not in the guise Damien wanted to see him nor her. Then, perhaps for the first time in my life, I found my heart truly open to the voice of a prophet. May our Advent God beautifully disturb us!

by Br Damien Price cfc