As a teenager in the 1970’s, I remember listening to “Prepare ye the way of the Lord,” the first song in the musical Godspell.
This text is quoted in Luke 3:4, Matthew 3:3, and Isaiah 40:3.
I’ve always been intrigued by Godspell, a musical composed by Stephen Schwartz based on the Gospel of Saint Matthew. The musical was inspired by an Easter visit to Saint Paul Cathedral in 1970. He then set Biblical parables to music in a drama project at CMU. Around the same time in popular culture, we were listening to the 1970 production of Jesus Christ Superstar, and listening to the Byrds singing “Turn, Turn, Turn” a direct quote of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. It didn’t escape us adolescents that popular culture was embracing Biblical spirituality and texts.
Somehow we seem to remember the music of our adolescence throughout the remainder of our lives. Today’s Gospel reading and the text, “Prepare the way of the Lord,” remind me that throughout all our lives we are preparing for the heavenly kingdom.
Prayer: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
Action: Engage a young person in conversation about what they are doing to prepare to live a good, upright. and moral life. Discuss the ways that popular culture can embrace these issues.