Contemporary Voices of the Desert

December 5, 2021 / Luke 3: 1-6

We (The Fishers of Men) are ending of our second year of posting weekly reflections from our hearts.  Our opening mission statement sums up our goal as Catholic men of faith – to welcome and lead others into the mystery of sacred scripture and the love of God.  These men write using pseudo names to maintain anonymity.  They believe that God has called them to follow in the footsteps of the humble servant (John the Baptist) who was “not worthy to loosen the throngs of Jesus’ sandals.” (LK 3.16) 

This reflection is dedicated to my brothers, the fishermen who have committed themselves to evangelization, prayer, and writing.  My brothers go by the pen names of Theophilus, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, The Older Brother, The Servant, Ishmael and simply, Anonymous.  They parrot many attributes of the Baptist in ways they would struggle to admit.  Just as the Baptist is a model of how Christians should exercise their prophetic missions by pointing others to Christ, these men also fulfill this expectation in a unique manner.  They are certainly contemporary voices of today’s desert.

While tending to their families and carrying the church on their shoulders, these men make the time to pray, reflect and write musings from their hearts each week.   Their love of Christ and faith in the Gospel eclipses all that man has done to sabotage these virtues.  I am truly humbled to be in such company, especially today.  The Fishermen are contemporary voices crying out (like John in the wilderness) to their fellow sisters and brothers and to our church to repent and prepare the way of the Lord.  These contemporary fishermen are truly heirs to the Baptist, and I am not worthy to be among them. They come from diverse backgrounds and origins, yet share the same command of Jesus to, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19

Even in anonymity, these modern-day Fishermen deserve to be acknowledged.  They seek nothing other than to pointing others to Christ.  What more can be said?  Please say a quick prayer for these courageous and faith-filled men.  And to my brothers, my fellow Fishermen, I send each of you a debt of gratitude that can never be entirely repaid.  You have given me and to many others more than you know.  And when darkness arrives, know that Christ is whispering in your ear reminding you that, “You are the light of the world.”  John 8:12 - Keep up the good work guys!  Pax.

The Pilgrim.