GOD COMES TO US ON THE ROADS WE MAKE
(A biblical refection on the SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR C) – 9 December 2012)
First Reading: Bar 5:1-9; Psalms: Ps 126:1-6; Second Reading: Phil 1:4-6,8-11; Gospel Reading: Lk 3:1-6
Bridge the valleys, cut through the mountains, straighten out the sharp curves and smooth the surface! American ingenuity has responded admirably to this advice of John the Baptist. Our country can display approximately 42,500 miles of four-lane National Interstate Highways, carrying 25% of the nation’s total traffic. The well planned cross-country network was eagerly promoted by President Eisenhower, basically for military purposes. The road system, identified by the familiar red, white and blue signs, can quickly deploy troops to any part of the country.
The primitive roads and nameless paths traveled by the Baptist were a great contrast – winding, rough and mountainous. John understands, like the present-day highway builders, that the more hazards removed, the better the road.
Poetically, John uses the image of the road to show how we can either encourage or impede God’s entrance into our lives. We have a duty to level off our sharp peaks of pride, selfishness and blind ambitions, which become mountain-sized obstacles between God and ourselves.
Valleys also slow the journey to our Savior. These are the low cold areas of depression, fear and despair. They obscure the warming sun and keep us wandering along the dark edge of night.
Advent is the “coming toward God” season, when each of us is challenged to examine his or her way to the Lord. If you are lost and going in circles, ask for advice or call a counselor to help lift reality.
John wants us to straighten out our dead ends and hairpin curves of double standards, lying, cheating and crookedness.
Our rough ways of acting and speaking can become more gentle; our former violence can be paved with compassion. The Herald of the Messiah continues to shout, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” With barriers removed, God is not far from us. If the obstacles remain on our way of life, we make contact or even communication with Him nearly impossible. God comes to us on the roads we make. If He doesn’t come, we have not prepared the way.
Note: Taken from Fr. Jame McKarns, GO TELL EVERYONE, Makati, Philippines: St. Paul Publications, 1985, pages 192-193.