Prepare the Way of the Lord, Make Straight His Paths

“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” Take a look at the highway map of the United States. You can get on interstate 35 in Duluth and drive straight south to Mexican Border. When a super highway is built, the contractors make every effort to remove sharp curves; they fill in depressions, cut through hills and mountains so that the way to the destination can be traveled most directly[1].

John the Baptist never saw superhighway, but he uses the image in order to prepare the way for the coming of the world’s most wonderful and extraordinary traveler, the Messiah Jesus, into our lives. The highway John wishes to construct is within our hearts. It hasn’t a number, but it does a name. It’s named: conversion.

For most of us Christian, however, conversion is the work of a lifetime, and each of us experiences in his or her own way. What really is conversion? We can make two points about conversion: first, conversion means allowing Jesus to involve in our lives. Second, conversion responds to a human need for wholeness.

Brothers and sisters,

First, Allowing Jesus to involve in our lives. It is our life and Jesus’ life become related in a personal and marvelous way, so that He becomes as real to us.

1. It’s just like husband and wife. One day on my vacation, I saw my mother was preparing some snacks, a cup of hot coffee and some fried cassava. I asked her: “Mom, for whom you’re preparing these?” she said: “Your dad will come back from work in five minutes.” That’s it! A wife knows exactly her husband’s needs, hobby, favorite food, and habits. These all in her memory.

2. It’s like kids and their parents. The way children speak, their tones and gestures are more like their parents. Do you know why? Because they’re living together and their parents involve in their life.

So as Jesus, when we let Him involve our life, Jesus’ habits become our habits. Habit of thoughts, words, and actions.

Second, conversion responds to a human need for wholeness. This advent is our time for a positive growth, for bringing forth fruits of honesty, neighborly concern, generosity and unselfish love. Having concern in our neighborhood is not only good for them and a good thing to do, also connects us to others, creating stronger communities and helping to build a happier society for everyone. And it's not all about money - we can also give our time, ideas and energy.

Brothers and sisters,

Conversion is a work of a lifetime. So let us make a way in our life, and in our society for His coming. Open our hearts in welcome, remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ in our life.

[1] Lawrence, Emeric, O. S. B Jesus Present and Coming The Liturgical Press Collegeville, Minnesota, p. 32.