This gospel reflection is based on Matthew 3:1-12.
At the River
His voice now pierces my ears As this strange man calls out loud To we who stand at river’s edge With the curious gathering crowd
Is he calling me too, I wonder As he accuses all of sin Crying out for all to repent And thus to a new life begin
He tells of the One who comes With power and the Spirit and fire And cries out for us to repent The sinful lives we so desire
To make straight the path For this One who soon will arrive The long-awaited Redeemer Bringing love and forgiveness to our lives
He points to One who comes Whose sandals he cannot untie Who will truly forgive all The sins which we must die
Am I willing to enter These waters of my own sin To truly prepare for his coming Then a new life with him begin
Can I step forth into the water This place of confession and love To die to what wrong I have done And with new life to rise above
Purify me as I enter this water And wash me of my burden That I may prepare for his coming And of his forgiveness be certain
Lord be with me Help me to prepare my soul As I enter the waters of truth And rise forth with hope, forgiven May I set forth on life’s new way Of faith and belief in your love Forever following you the Holy One For you have truly come to save With an ever-flowing river of love today