A voice in the wilderness

"John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet: “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’” - John 1:23

St John the Baptist is, himself, a path leading up to the Lord, in that he gathered up many people with the message of repentance, than pointed out Christ, saying "Behold, the Lamb of God".  But more subtly, what is the "way of the Lord" which needs to be straightened for us, and why is the voice calling in the wilderness rather than the marketplace?

The terms "wilderness" and "desert" are somewhat interchangeable, both referring to a range of experiences, all of which involve separating oneself from worldly priorities and becoming able to hear the "still, small voice".  They imply ascesis and self-discipline, denial of self will, and placing oneself far away from the noise of the city of the passions.

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" - Rom 1:20

It is in the wilderness that we can see God in His Works, in creation, most clearly.  In the city, both literally and metaphorically, we surround ourselves with our own works.  When we step outside the city, and particularly when we distance ourselves from these things with a "broken and contrite heart", and our sight can return to us.

It is through repentance and humility, through a clean heart, that the way of the Lord is made straight.

All of this is still true now.  Though St John made the way of the Lord straight in an immediate, literal way all those years ago, he still points this way to us today, and this way is still the Way.  By going into the wilderness of a contrite and humbled heart, by stepping outside the city of the passions and worldly interests, by following the "immaterial" way of life of St John, of ascesis and simplicity--that is, through repentance--we make the way straight so that we can bow down and say with sincerity, "Thy will be done in me, Lord".  That is, we make straight the way into the Way.