God can clear any path God wants -- do we choose to take it?
In the Book of Baruch, those returning from exile know that
mountains are a difficult path to travel.
But the prophet reassures them that as they return, God's mercy will be
at work: God will provide them with a
flat and easy walk: For God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low. God will
thus go out of God's way to bless them:
all barriers will removed, and the return of the exiles will be an
occastion for rejoicing. Psalm 126
acknowledges this gift of mercy from God, and asks for more blessings
still: restore our fortunes, o Lord.
The psalm proclaims the people's confidence in God's work on their
behalf; they are on their way because God has redeemed them.
In Luke's Gospel, John the Baptist likewise reminds his listeners that when
God clears a path, it's up to them to choose to take that path. In the desert, John prayed for
transformation, for change, for metanoia; he now preaches a baptism of
repentance that can wash away all that keeps us from God, all that stands in
our way. Likewise, Paul tells the
Philippians, only by choosing God's path of love can we know what is important;
only then can we open in love to all.
Advent is a time to turn back to God's path, to put on a new
way of life, a way of God's making, a path whose object is always other. It can be beautiful -- and challenging -- to
allow that metanoia to take place, to allow love to grown within… if only we
choose the path God sets before us as blessing every day.
This post is based on Fr. Pat's Scripture class.
Image source: Wordle
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