A voice cries out in the wilderness,
the wilderness of San Bernardino
the wilderness of Colorado Springs
the wilderness of endless Facebook posts
that show no compassion
the wilderness of shut-ins
dying along
the wilderness of homeless people
trying to stay warm.

Make straight the way of the Lord
in the hearts of the people
in the words of the leaders
in the actions of us all
as we show compassion
to those different from us
smile at those
who too rarely see smiles
because we too rarely
smile ourselves.

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God
whatever they call God
whatever they think of God
if they even think of God at all
or acknowledge God’s existence.

The salvation found
in a smile
a hug
a gentle word
a shared meal
is but part
of our role
in making the rough ways smooth.