Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight - John the Baptist

Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight - John the Baptist

1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;
3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,' "
4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7 He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.
8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
(NRSV)

Inspiration of the Holy Spirit - From the Sacred Heart of Jesus

“Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight”. This was the work assigned to my prophet John the Baptist.

Before he was even born, he was filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb of Elizabeth his mother, at the time of the visitation of my mother. He grew up as a holy man like no other before him, because he was given the task of preparing the way for my coming as the saviour of the world.

He was a humble man, who practiced austerity and self-denial; he offered his entire life to my service until the day he was put to death by Herod.

His preaching encompassed my entire message, which is that you all repent, because my kingdom is very near to you, he baptized with water and proclaimed my baptism with the fire of the Holy Spirit. In humility he declared his unworthiness in my presence, because he acknowledged that I was the Son of God, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

He was given the honour of baptizing me, in order for me to sanctify the waters of baptism, to allow you all to be washed of your sins and become part of my mystical body.

His mission was to call people to repentance, so that they could be worthy to meet me and obtain their salvation.

His work has been passed down to all of you who come to believe in me and to follow me. When you repent of your own sins and come humbly before me, you receive my greatest gift, the fire of the Holy Spirit; which transforms the normal man into a new Christ, a reflection of my own being. Your apostolate will be to bring me souls, so that they will be saved.

I call you all to be transformed by me. Prepare the way for the Lord by your repentance, by your humility, by your devotions and your life in imitation of me.

I will do my silent work in your soul and make you a child of God, I will sanctify you and give you my wisdom, I will grant you my peace and bless you to live joyfully for me.

Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary