Advent 2

 “Prepare the Way of the Lord!”

The Bethesda Fountain in Central Park in one of Manhattan’s many iconic settings.  The fountain is dominated by a statue known as The Angel of the Waters.  This location was the a setting for one of the opening scenes of the 1973 film adaptation of the off-Broadway musical Godspell.  To see a video clip of this scene, click on the image below:   

In this scene, harried, hectic New Yorkers walk away from their stressed out lives to answer the call of a “John-the-Baptist” like figure.  They find joy and new beginnings, splashing in the fountain under that Angel of the Waters while the musical invitation rings out, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!”

The music can still move us, even if the props, costumes, and setting seems dated.  And in these Advent days, we are reminded that our “angel of the waters,” continues to call, gather, and enlighten us through the waters of Holy Baptism.  It is there that we find our joy and our new beginning.  It is also in those Baptismal waters that we hear the Spirit’s call: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!”

In the Godspell, the song that follows Jesus’ baptism asks, “When wilt thou save the people?  /  O God of mercy, when?  /  Not kings and lords, but nations.  /  Not thrones and crowns, but men?”  By God’s grace, we are blessed to know the answer:  on Christmas… Good Friday… Easter… Ascension… and finally, on the day of our Lord’s return.

Until that day, let us find our joy and new beginning splashing in the waters of our baptism.  Let us answer the Holy Spirit’s call to “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!”

Rev. Robert A. Boehler

Pastor, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Yonkers

Pastoral Counselor, Bronx Westchester Zone LWML Atlantic District