I have heard many comments lately about what appears to be a perpetual "season of construction" in the Niagara Region.
It seems that wherever you look, infrastructure repairs are being made on our roads, bridges and tunnels. This is causing some stress among motorists and government officials; however, it is necessary work.
We need to make these improvements so that we can travel quickly and safely. We should remove all the obstacles so that we can reach our destination.
One of the great figures found in the New Testament is John the Baptist. It is important to note that he was called "the baptist" not because that was his religion (he was Jewish). He was given this title because he offered people a baptism of repentance. He also encouraged people to consider their "spiritual infrastructure."
What are those things that need to be addressed so that the Lord will find a smooth road to our hearts?
In the Gospel of Luke, we find the following passage: "In the 15th year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God'" (Luke 3:1-5.)
John was an interesting character.
We are told he lived in the wilderness, wore clothes made of camel hair and ate locusts and honey. He describes himself as a voice crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." He talks about filling in valleys with the tops of mountains, making crooked ways straight and smooth.
This spiritual work helps to create a smooth and straight path so that the Lord can easily come to us. We remove all the barriers so that we can experience the salvation of God.
John the Baptist understands that he is not the Messiah. His role is to prepare the way.
He shows great humility when, speaking of Jesus, he states, "He must increase, I must decrease" (John 3:30.)
John is totally focused on the Lord and sees himself as a humble servant. He wants to help people encounter Jesus and be transformed by his love and mercy. One of the greatest barriers in the spiritual life can be our pride. In a spirit of humility, we need to focus less on ourselves and more on God and others.
Christmas is quickly approaching. For many, the way to prepare for this important celebration is to decorate with festive lights and ornaments and to shop for gifts.
Why not give yourself a gift by looking at your spiritual life? What are the obstacles that may prevent the Lord from coming to you? Where are the mountains, valleys and rough spots?
If you make an investment in your spiritual "infrastructure," it may not help the economy; however, it will improve your relationship with Christ.
"Prepare the way of the Lord, making crooked ways straight and smooth."
Gerard Bergie is bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Catharines
Source: Dec 06, 2019 by Greard Bergie Special to The St. Catharines Standard https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/opinion-story/9764178-faith-matters-prepare-for-christmas-by-investing-in-your-spiritual-infrastructure-/