Make His Paths Straight

12-09-2018Weekly ReflectionRev. Julius Kundi

Advent is a hopeful season. Hope is such an important Christian virtue, something deeper than simple optimism of temperament. We can feel cheerfully optimistic about all kinds of things, but, strictly speaking, the true object of hope is union with God. We are hopeful because we believe in a God who can bring life out of death, light out of darkness. It is above all in dark times that we need hope. And we pray for hope and help for those going through dark days at the present time, for people insecure in their jobs or their health or their home life, and even more for those who have been displaced as refugees.

Baruch, in the first reading, asks the grieving Jerusalem to stand on the heights in order to see her scattered children coming home, with God in the lead. This reminds us that all of us, like Israel in her exile, have been led into the captivity of sin. Hence, we are in need of restoration and conversion by the Word of the Holy One. Psalm 126 is a joyous song of ascent, sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. We see those who had gone into exile weeping now returning "rejoicing, carrying their sheaves." In writing to his beloved community at Philippi, Paul, in today's second reading, prays that they be filled with joy as they await the day of Christ. Paul reminds us that our remembrance of God's saving deeds during the Advent season is meant to stir our Faith and to fill us with confidence so that, "the One who began a good work in us will continue to complete it," until Jesus comes again in glory. In the Gospel, John the Baptist challenges us to prepare the way for the salvation of "all flesh," including our own, by a true repentance leading to the renewal of our lives.

As a season of sober reflection, we need to examine our consciences so see what in our lives requires straightening out. The final words of Isaiah in today's gospel tells us that "all people will see the salvation sent to us from our God." This is the direct result of making straight the ways of the Lord, filling the valleys, leveling the mountains, straightening the curves, and making smooth the rough places. We can all identify these areas in our lives. We can personalize this message to ourselves as the ones who are asked to turn from their sins, to turn to God, and to prepare the way for him to make his home within our hearts.

Filling valleys, leveling mountains, straightening the crooked road, preparing a pathway for the Lord should be our main concern in preparation for Christmas not decorations. This of course involves decisions, and these decisions come out of the context of the realities of one's life. The valley here stands for the estrangement of man from God. And Advent offers us the hope to return home where our loving Father awaits us joyfully. Therefore, we have to fill in the "valleys" of our souls, formed from our shallow prayer life and a minimalist way of living our Faith. We have to straighten out whatever crooked paths we've been walking, like involvement in some secret or habitual sins or in a sinful relationship. God is the object of our hope and eternal happiness, make His paths straight!

Father Julius