At this time of the year, many of us spend time decorating the house, buying presents and preparing special holiday foods. We prepare for Christmas like no other feast in the year. But we are also involved in preparations for many different things and these preparations become an important part in our lives. In preparing for a test, we study the pertinent information. In preparing for a voyage, we pack clothing and articles we think will be necessary for the trip. In preparing for a presentation for work, we organize data and ideas and prepare charts or brochures. In preparing for a wedding or other celebration, we rent halls, hire caterers and bands, send out invitations and buy new clothes. In preparing for a new child, we paint a nursery, buy a car-seat, a crib, diapers and toys.
We always seem to be preparing for something. Most of our work of preparation is physical activity of some type. The preparation mentioned in today’s Gospel is both a physical and spiritual action. John the Baptist echoes the words of the prophet, Isaiah, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” Isaiah gets even more descriptive as he states that our preparations include filling in every valley and bringing down the mountains, very tough physical work for a people with no power tools.
So how do we prepare the way of the Lord? In physical ways, we prepare the way by works of charity and justice; when we feed the hungry and take care of the needs of those around us, when we visit the sick and act with kindness to the elderly, when we teach and support our children and when we speak well of our neighbor. In spiritual ways, we prepare the way through prayer and reflection; when we join the Church in its action of praise at Mass and in our own private devotions. We prepare ourselves spiritually through the attitude with which we enact every other action of our day, an attitude of humility and peace. The way is often difficult to prepare but we have many workers.
May this season of preparation bless you and your families with the Lord’s peace.
We always seem to be preparing for something. Most of our work of preparation is physical activity of some type. The preparation mentioned in today’s Gospel is both a physical and spiritual action. John the Baptist echoes the words of the prophet, Isaiah, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” Isaiah gets even more descriptive as he states that our preparations include filling in every valley and bringing down the mountains, very tough physical work for a people with no power tools.
So how do we prepare the way of the Lord? In physical ways, we prepare the way by works of charity and justice; when we feed the hungry and take care of the needs of those around us, when we visit the sick and act with kindness to the elderly, when we teach and support our children and when we speak well of our neighbor. In spiritual ways, we prepare the way through prayer and reflection; when we join the Church in its action of praise at Mass and in our own private devotions. We prepare ourselves spiritually through the attitude with which we enact every other action of our day, an attitude of humility and peace. The way is often difficult to prepare but we have many workers.
May this season of preparation bless you and your families with the Lord’s peace.
RSS Feed