‘In the wilderness,’ the prophet said,
‘Prepare the way of the Lord.’
He said, ‘In the wilderness.’
Not in the grip of power,
or the company of politicians.
In the wilderness of powerlessness.
Not in the boardroom,
or the palaces of oligarchs.
In the desert wastes of poverty.
Not in the councils of generals,
or the military command centers.
In the abandoned places of empire.
Not in the mansions of the rich,
or the lifestyles of the famous.
But among those of no renown.
There you must prepare the way.
Go therefore, to these latter haunts,
and make preparation.
Under Christ’s Mercy,
Brent