Last week we heard about a promise for the future of a world where both the animals and humans would all live together in peace. This weeks scripture speaks of a transformation of the land and a healing of all infumities. It begins with, "The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing." (Isa. 35:1-2 NRSV). At verse five Isaiah goes on to say, "Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy." (Isa. 35:5-6 NRSV). In this time of Advent when we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Christ (the incarnations, we should be thinking of the second coming of Christ when all of the prophecies will come true and true peace and joy will be the gift to everyone.

The Importance of John the Baptist (Matt. 11:2–11)

In this passage John the Baptist inquires about the identity of Jesus through his disciples. Jesus does not give a direct answer but says, "'...Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.'" (Matt. 11:4 NRSV). We hear echoes of the prophecy written in Isaiah for this weeks reading (see above).

Then Jesus goes on to expwn the importance of John the Baptist. He even refers to him as Elijah. John was to "prepare a way" for the Messiah. It is important to have the proper preparation before the kingdom of God is to come. We need to be a part of this preparation. We need to work to ease suffering in any way we can and care for all of God's children. We also need to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ.