The voice of John the Baptist was a lonely voice
which many of his contemporaries ignored.
There are may lonely voices in our world.
Somewhere at this moment a child is crying –
crying for love or maybe simply for bread.
Somewhere a young person is crying –
crying for a listening ear or an understanding heart.
Somewhere an old person is crying –
crying for a visit or a word from his/her children.
There are a thousand unheard cries in our world,
coming from the victims of injustice and neglect.
Lord, help us to listen to these voices.
Above all, help us to listen to your voice,
whispering to us in the wilderness of our hearts,
telling us that we are loved by you,
and that we are to love one another.