Being the fore-runner of Jesus, John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord. When he went round the whole of Jordan district proclaiming a baptism of repentance, his prophetic voice was a real challenge! This was the challenge to prepare for the Advent of God into human history. John was able to do this because he listened and listened and allowed God to speak through him, thus becoming the mouth piece of God.

The secret lies in his withdrawal and silence in the desert as a form of preparation for his mission. Today we are challenged to be 'prophets' of our time. To do this we must come under the overwhelming power of God's Word, and learn to listen and listen.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul affirmed them of their missionary zeal and encouraged them to continue to strive on as they deepened their knowledge and experience of God in His Word. The result of such will is what prophet Baruch said in the first reading that God's promises will be fulfilled in happenings like 'flattening of high mountains and hills, the filling of valleys, forest and even fragrant tree will provide shade and all shall experience the mercy, joy and glory of God'.