I get most of my news the old fashioned way: by reading the paper or listening to the radio as I drive around. But of course, today there are numerous other ways on line to hear the news. Unfortunately most of that news is gruesome or problematic in some way – at least that’s what makes the headlines and attracts attention. Then there are all the editorial comments. Doesn’t it seem that everyone has an opinion about everything?

Well today’s scriptures readings are all about plain and simple good news. John the Baptist emerges from the desert with some astonishing good news for the people. The long awaited Savior has come and He is in their midst. It is time for them to get prepared. No editorial comments or opinions about that. Hard maybe to believe, but John is convincing with his unusual appearance and direct communication. People stand up and listen and take the plunge of baptism.

There was a tradition for ritual cleansing in the Jewish faith, but nothing like this. Throngs of people all at once gathering to hear Him and to cleanse themselves in preparation for the coming of Jesus. Who would have thought that this was how the Savior was going to be presented to the world. Yet it was the best news these people had heard in all their lifetime.

Even today’s beautiful first reading from Isaiah the Prophet proclaims similar good news. He tells Israel that their captivity is at an end and that the Savior will come to smooth out the roughness of life; to give comfort to the people; to gather them as a shepherd gathers and feeds his sheep. Good news indeed.

And then Isaiah encourages the people to go up to the top of the mountain and to shout that good news to all who will listen.

And that’s where we come in. That admonition is for you and me: to be heralds, to be John the Baptist in our world today. Everyone needs to hear that good news, and how can they unless we who have been privileged with that faith, do not speak. We’re not called to stand on the street corners, but we are called to live lives that reflect the difference Jesus makes for us.

We have good news to share, and we have a world badly in need of hearing it!