( Log Out / A voice of one is calling out, “Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness [remove the obstacles]; Make straight and smooth in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:3) John the Baptist viewed himself as one whose mission was to "prepare the Way of the Lord." The Greek word “metanoia” we translates into repentance can mean“a changing of heart and mind.” The Hebrew word “shuv” we translate into repentance means “a turning of life.” We prepare for Christ with a changing of heart and mind, with a turning of life. It's our awareness of our own state before God that clears the way … Should we ever falter, let us remember the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe. by Fr. (Make way!) View all posts by Nathan D. Pipho. Why couldn’t He just come and get the work of salvation under way? The people had been suffering from the colonial exploitation of Rome. 3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. But then, he tells you, he’s taking Rt. The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9). He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. When the railroad was first built decades ago, it was built as railroads have always been built – to be as flat and straight as possible. Forward Thinkers, the Lord will make a way is not just a catchy sermon title or a popular song selection; this must become the foundational belief system of every Believer. John the Baptist teaches all about repentance, as preparation for the Lord -- for God -- to make His paths straight. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain." Once again, he defers their question away from himself to talk about Jesus, quoting from the prophet Isaiah: I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’ as the prophet Isaiah said. 9 from Boston to Worcester rather than the Mass Pike. “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God … Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain” (Isaiah 40:3-5). "He [John the Baptist] said, 'I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord.' God alone knows what things are … In the spirit of repentance, and to make straight the way of the Lord, many in this congregation have been studying race and racism. This way allows us to enter into the intimacy of the Trinitarian life. God came in the Person of His Son when the Word became flesh. Mark declares what is truly “Good News” what has actually changed the whole world, is Jesus Christ.”. Clearly, John the Baptist was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus as all four quotes above demonstrate. When we change the commas we actually change the whole meaning of the verses. “Make straight the way of the Lord.” This way is a new exodus. In repentance, we confess the valleys of despair, heartache, and pain we cause others with our gossip, our slandering, our cutting words, our lack of trust, our suspicions. How do we get ready for his coming? “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, says God, cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” Isaiah proclaimed to the people their season of punishment had passed … the season of forgiveness and restoration had arrived. 23:20 and Mal 3:1) has finally been fulfilled. “Make Straight the Way of the Lord!” About two thousand years ago, people faced a chaotic era in Judea. (John 1:23). Turning to the right, and walking east, the railroad cuts into the fields and you don’t get the same commanding views. St. Mark tells us that “John the Baptist appeared in the d… He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints. Mankind when we were lost and in the bondage of sin – God made a way out of no way. Like Mary, when we say yes to God, we make way for the coming of new life: that is salvation for ourselves and for the world through our faith, our hope, and our love. (Make way!) When the Israelites were fleeing Egypt, one of their worst fears was Pharaoh’s army overtaking them. Carol also is a member of the World Apostolate of Fatima (USA) and a member of Association Jeanne Jugan, a Catholic lay organization that provides individuals with an opportunity to share in the spirituality of the Little Sisters of the Poor. I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. ( Log Out / Mary’s yes to God is a blessed gift to each of us. In repentance, we confess the mountains of pain we cause by supporting systems that privilege some and oppress others. Bel R. San Luis, SVD. ** I’m not claiming that this organization of five big categories is presented as such in the Bible. Her article on Marian devotions is featured in the May 2017 issue of Catholic Update and Liguorian magazine. After half a century of exile and shame, a new word broke through the gloom and hopelessness of the exile. Opening ourselves to Jesus Christ, we make way for new life within us and in our world. God had chosen Israel to be his people. To help the locomotives pull the heavy weight of the dozens of train cars stretched out behind it, the tracks were built up above, or dug into, the gently rolling prairies. One is to see that God has straight paths for himself that lead to faith. The desire to sin no longer has a hold on us to block our way to salvation. But notice, he still doesn’t give them an autobiography. Here in this community of the faithful gathered, in our confession and repentance … the prophecies of Isaiah and John the Baptist are fulfilled. ( Log Out / It was to this defeated, punished, and despairing people the prophet proclaimed the entrance of a king. Carol’s spiritual reflections, poetry, and prayers can be found on her web site: www.journeytoourlady.com and on Twitter: Carol Monaco @journey2ourlady. It would be bad news if the Lord waited for us to get our acts together before the Lord entered. Time after time the Lord made a way for those who thought the way to be impossible. Filled with God’s graces and blessings, Mary’s hope for humanity remained steadfast as she shared the love of God throughout her life’s journey. We are God’s beloved children, brothers and sisters in Christ, by way of the Holy Spirit. Instead, on either side, are mounds of dirt where the original tracks were dug into the fields rise above it. Rather, the Good News that brings peace and salvation, is the good news of Jesus Christ. This new life was made possible when the Blessed Virgin said to the Angel Gabriel: “May it be done to me according to your word.” [Luke 1:38] Mary’s openness to the love of God, by her own free will, brought new life into this world—the life of Jesus Christ. I love to walk along it when I visit my parents in Iowa – it provides quintessential views of the rural Midwest. In the midst of every difficult or strange occurrence, as Believers we must continue to believe the Lord will make a way … Theologian Brian Peterson points out that the term “Good News was commonly used in the Roman Empire to describe a new victory by Caesar’s armies, or the new emperor taking the throne … Imperial propaganda claimed that these are the things that have changed the whole world and brought peace and salvation. Tell us so we can give an answer to those who sent us. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And let His kingdom in. God has already drawn near to us before we repent.”. John the Baptist was the “messenger” God sent to prepare His people for this great event. As our Lord grows within us, we experience new life filled with faith, hope, and love to share with one another especially in these challenging times. When we know we’re going to have company, we make the house ready to receive them. When we repent, we confess the ways our sin dig valleys and build mountains in the lives of others preventing them from knowing God’s love. Israel was a nation in waiting, waiting for the coming of the Messiah. “Make straight the way!” is the cry of St. John the Baptist. My colleague Pastor Geoff Sinabaldo suggests this definition of repentance: “Repentance means naming our fears, sins, prejudices, complicity, and feelings of helplessness.” And then, listen to this: “To repent is to stop blaming others for the woes of the world and to start taking responsibility for our place in it.” We repent, when we acknowledge the ways we are part of the problem, and commit to being part of the solution. On the mount of Tepeyac, Mary said to Juan Diego “I want to hear your pleadings and to cure your ills and your sorrow.” Mary gives us consolation and confidence when we reach out to her in prayer. Ultimately, the Good News on this Second Sunday of Advent, is not found in our ability to adequately make straight the way of the Lord. We make way for the Lord. The Way of the Lord is the everyday path we walk, while God gets on with the work of moving heaven and earth toward to the ultimate restoration of all things. In this Advent season, may the Holy Spirit fill you with all faith and believing. 22 Then they asked him, “Who are you? At the beginning of St. Mark’s Gospel, he announces that Isaiah’s centuries-old prophecy of one who will prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah (spliced together here with Ex. When a judge is ready to pass a sentence, the courtroom is made ready for his decision. He WILL make a way. BEL SAN LUIS, SVD. Daniel when he was in the lion’s den. So the way you make crooked the straight paths of the Lord is to get in the way of people coming to faith. AMPC A voice of one who cries: Prepare in the wilderness the way of the Lord [clear away the obstacles]; make straight and smooth in the desert a highway for our God! Sermon for the Second Sunday in Advent Sunday, December 6, 2020Trinity Lutheran Church, Worcester, Massachusetts. However, they did not give up hope that God may send the Messiah, who would save them. When a dignitary comes to our town, we make preparations for a welcome. ( Log Out / WORD ALIVE. These words of Isaiah foretold the message and mission of John the Baptist. “Take the pike, its faster!”, To make straight the way of the Lord is to help hasten the Lord’s arrival. as Isaiah the prophet said.'" It’s built on the bed of an abandoned Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. “There is nothing in all creation that can separate God from God’s people,” writes Brian Peterson, “not the might of Babylon, nor the loss of home and security, nor the years that have passed with silence from God. Sign up if you would like to receive occasional treats from us. Carol is an independent writer and speaker. To get to the rail trail, I first walk north from my parent’s farm about half a mile and then I make a decision to turn left or right to walk along the trail. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. This season of Advent, let us reach out to Mary for her maternal guidance. "Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Truly, by our prayers, repentance, and participation at Mass, we can be refreshed and renewed during this season of Advent, even in the most difficult of times. With the help of Mary's loving intercession, the Son of God comes to live within us and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit. You haven’t seen your friend in years and you can’t wait to see him. While we are called to meet the Lord in our acts of repentance, the Good News proclaimed by both Isaiah and John is that as God acts first. How do we prepare the way of the Lord? Isaiah 40:3 - “ The voice of him that crieth, in the wilderness prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” In fact, the Complete Jewish Bible has these scriptures punctuated in this manner. God Has Straight Paths Leading to Faith Now two wonderful things come out of this. The royal and divine road comes from Babylon to Jerusalem.Centuries later, in writing his gospel, St. Mark sees this prophecy fulfilled in John the Baptist announcing the arrival of Jesus. Let’s take a look at Luke 3:4-5, “As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. The "way of the Lord" is "the way of holiness" (Isaiah 35:8). Isaiah’s audience is described this way by theologian Brian Peterson: “Isaiah 40 addresses Israel in exile, people who have had all the stable structures of life ripped away, who have been caught in the turmoil of international power and politics, whose lives have become characterized by defeat and hopelessness.”. Just as God led his people out of Egypt through Moses, now Jesus is coming to lead us out of our sins. From her Journey, Carol has authored the prayer book, Heavenly Mother Help Me; Prayers, Poetry and Prose for Daily Living, as a companion for individuals trying to live their faith every day. nation or a city by the Spirit of the Lord begins with a handful of people who answer that voice crying in the wilderness, "Make straight the way of the Lord." “Who are you, then?”, the delegation asked John. Surprisingly, even in Iowa, there are times the bike trail rises above the surrounding fields, and times the fields roll up above the tracks. In repentance, may you meet Jesus Christ who has already entered into your hearts with grace, reconciliation, and healing. There is one only mode of "preparing" it - the mode adopted by John Baptist ( Matthew 3:2-12 ), the mode pointed out by the angel who announced him ( Luke 1:17 ), the mode insisted on in the Collect for the Third Sunday in Advent. For the King of kings (For the King of kings) Make way! The Mother of God and the Mother of all People is the Church’s model of faith, hope, and charity. The Word of the Lord. The Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace. Make way! Yes, December 25th is the Biblical Date of Christmas. It is true that the people may wither in their faithfulness, but God’s word will not do so. One commentator suggests this might be a way we can understand Isaiah’s cry in our First Reading this morning. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of … He comes the broken hearts to heal The prisoners to free The deaf shall hear, the lame shall dance The blind shall see. Published December 5, 2020, 11:24 PM. Israel and the Red Sea. This is what we celebrate at Christmas. Mark, however, has something else in mind. As theologian Brian Peterson points out: “Just as Isaiah began his proclamation with God speaking, so Mark begins with God’s voice and God’s action … God always makes the first, gracious move … we do not build the highway and then wait for God to come. 23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. First, consider Mary’s Immaculate Conception. To use Isaiah’s image of making the way straight for the Lord, perhaps we might see repentance as our work acknowledging the ways we make the ground uneven. On Tuesday night of this week, we will meet again via ZOOM with members of ST. John Lutheran, Sudbury. FR. Prepare the way of the Lord. You’re thinking, How can I do this? A voice of one crying out in the desert: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.'" As we share in the preparation for our Savior’s first coming, we renew our ardent desire for our Lord’s second coming. In repentance, may you make straight the way of the Lord. Awaiting with expectation and preparing to receive the Lord are two important aspects of the Advent season. Isaiah 43:16-19. Make His Path Straight It means to create a favorable environment or to make it easy for one to come to you and operate in your life. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path (Proverbs 2:8 - 9). “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God … Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain” (Isaiah 40:3-5). It means to create a favorable environment or to make it easy for one to come to you and operate in your life. With the help of Mary's loving intercession, the Son of God comes to live within us and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit. Think about it this way …imagine anxiously awaiting the arrival of a friend who just landed at Logan Airport in Boston. This new project does not depend on the people’s reliability, but only on God’s promise. I am a follower of Jesus, a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and living the kind of patriotism Adlai Stevenson described as "not a short, frenzied outburst of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime." Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. And, where Isaiah prepared for the king by making the highway straight and level, John prepared for Jesus by calling for repentance. It gives us a clear sense that repentance is the way to make the path of Christ straight, so to speak, within our own hearts. Contrasting with the language used by emperors of his day, St. Mark suggests “Good News” is never found in the power of any earthly king. And like Isaiah drawing on a metaphor of kings in his day to announce God’s work, Mark also drew on royal imagery used in his day. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. However, the graces and blessings we receive through our faithful devotion to prayer, the Holy Mass, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation clear the way into our heart and soul for God’s love to take hold, giving us the light of hope for our daily living. “No,” you might respond. We make way for the Lord. Although we are born with original sin, our Baptism cleanses us to make way for the Spirit of the Lord. One is sent to prepare the way of the Lord. Here, in God’s Word proclaimed and received … is the entrance of God to broken hearts, to hurting people, to those oppressed/forgotten/rejected! A soldier and his wife were preparing for the baptismal party of their baby girl when the chaplain arrived for the baptism. As prophesied by the prophet Isaiah, there is a messenger sent ahead of the Messiah. The words from the original biblical languages we translate into repentance help us get at the meaning of repentance. Mark 1:2-5. May the God of peace make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Turning to the left, and walking to the west, the fields fall away from the rail trail below on either side, offering sweeping views of my parent’s farm and to the small town I went to school in. Our Savior lived within Mary, lived through Mary, and was born from Mary to dwell among us for the sake of our salvation. The season of Advent is our time to clear away the stumbling blocks within our heart and soul as we prepare to celebrate the first coming of Christ our Savior. Than the Mass Pike there is a messenger sent ahead of the Lord. ” this way a. 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