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A Voice in the Desert
A Reading and Canticle for Advent
from Jack Rakosky* – VOTF Ohio
From the Service of Nine Lessons and Canticles for Childermas
The prologue to the Gospel of Mark (Chapter 1, Verses 1-15)
is set in the desert. It begins with John preaching in the
desert and ends with Jesus being tested in the desert. The
voice of John and the Voice of God play important roles in
the story. Both water and angels are present. All these elements
are in the story from Genesis which indicates that God will
make of the child of Hagar a great nation, too. Remember
that Paul argued that Gentiles become spiritual children
of Abraham by baptism.
Genesis Chapter 21: 5-19: God saves the child of Hagar left
to die in the desert.
Sarah said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman
and her son! No son of that slave is going to share the inheritance
with my son Isaac!”
Hagar departed and wandered in the solitude of desert. When
the water was used up, she placed the child under the shade
of a tree. Then she went off about the distance of a bowshot,
for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And
as she sat in that place, she began to cry out in protest.
And the boy began to sob. God heard the voice of the child…
CANTICLE PARAPHASE OF ISAIAH 35:1-10
JRST v. 1 Rejoice thirsty desert; the barren landscape shall
become adorned with lilies
The solitary places of Jordan shall bloom with flowers and
celebrate with jubilant song.
Response (Gen 21:17 and Isaiah 35:6). Do not be afraid;
God has heard the child crying.
A spring will gush forth in the wilderness and streams shall
flow in the desert.
JRST v. 2 The grandeur of Lebanon will be given to it, the
splendor of Carmel and Sharon.
The people shall see the glory of the Lord, the brilliant
presence of our God. Response.
JRST v. 3, 4 Strengthen those with weak hands and invigorate
those with paralyzed legs.
Give courage to one another, O you fainthearted. Be resolute
and do not fear.
God will return judgment. God will repay. God will come and
save us. Response.
JRST v. 5 Then the eyes that were once blind will see, and
the ears that were once deaf shall hear.
Then shall the crippled leap like deer, and the silent tongue
speak out. Response.
JRST v. 7 The burning sand will become marshland. A fountain
of water shall be poured over the thirsty land. In the glad
home of birds, grass and reeds shall grow. Response.
JRST v. 8 And a highway will be there; it will be called
the Way of Holiness. Wicked fools will not travel there;
it will be for those who walk in the Way; Response.
JRST v. 9 No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious
beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only
the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the LORD
will return. Response.
JRST v. 10 They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting
joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake
them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Response.
CANTICLE PRAYER “O GOD, HEAR THE CRIES OF THE
CHILDREN”
God of Abraham lead us on the Way of Holiness.
Help us water the deserts of the world and make the wilderness
blossom.
Let them come alive with water, food and flowers for the
children of humanity.
Response O God, hear the cries of the children.
Free us from the wickedness of abandoned and unwanted children.
Save them from the beasts that roam dark and deserted places.
From the jackals and fools who desire to exploit them.
Response O God, hear the cries of the children.
Heal the disabled and disfigured children of our planet.
Strengthen their hands, steady their feet, take away their
sorrow and crying,
Crown them with gladness, let them sing with joy.
Response. O God, hear the cries of the children.
[Jack Rakosky has an interest in spirituality
and an interdisciplinary doctorate in psychology and
sociology. He writes a monthly
column (current issue on World Values Study) for the VOTF
Northeast Ohio web site It is called VOTF Perspectives after the bi-weekly electronic
newsletter he produced for members in the Diocese of Cleveland
from January 2004 until June 2005. The Childermas Service
and other prayers first appeared there.]
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