Grasshopper, Anyone?

The gospel message often comes to us through a messenger, whether it’s an angel whispering into Mary’s ear, or a parent telling a child a story, or a prophet standing knee-deep in a river. What is most striking about the messenger John the Baptist, is that he was never near a church. Those who insisted on staying inside the church never heard his message. Only those who were willing to enter the wilderness got to taste his freedom, and many of them were still there when the spectacular someone arrived from the civilized center of town. We imagine that every one of us has some idea where our own wilderness lies, as well as a long list of all the good reasons why we should not go there. We are comfortable where we are, after all. We know the ropes and we know we will be fed. Why should we hunt God anywhere else? But if we only listen in church, we will miss half…