(Photo Credit Unsplash – Cathal Mac an Bheatha)
By Braden Kuntz
December has probably always been my favourite month, especially when I was a kid. There’s something incredibly peaceful about a quiet winter’s night that has always been mesmerizing to me.
But, if I’m being honest, it’s probably just the fact that December meant Christmas.
Don’t get me wrong, the presents were fun and all that, but for me, Christmas meant going home to the family farm, seeing all my cousins, and just running wild together and being free to be a kid. It didn’t matter what struggles there were at home or at school.
In that moment, I was free to be me.
I loved it.
Eventually, as everyone grew up and began having families of their own, Christmases began to look different, but for those first 10-12 years of my childhood, there was a sense of wonder and anticipation that has remained ever since. I always knew what to expect. For that first period of my life, every December brought with it the hope of what was to come. Which is fitting, because that’s exactly what John the Baptist does in today’s Gospel.
Ever since Isaiah prophesied about “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,” Israel had been waiting in hope for the coming of the Messiah. Suddenly, John shows up and fulfils Isaiah’s prophecy by being that voice in the wilderness, instructing everyone who would listen to “prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain shall be made low,”.
Now, here’s the deal: I don’t think John meant this literally. I’m pretty sure Jesus is more than capable of walking around a corner or trudging up a small hill. I think what he’s referring to is that each and every one of us needs to prepare our hearts in anticipation of Jesus’ arrival.
Okay, so how do we do that? Well, I’m so glad you asked, random reader!
Did you know that during the Offertory at Mass, the congregation is also supposed to make an offering, not just the priest? Well sure, you may be thinking, that’s why I toss $10 into the collection basket every week! Okay, so yes, that’s a solid start (I prefer pre-authorized giving myself), but I think that’s perhaps missing the core of what the scripture is saying. John the Baptist didn’t say to prepare for the coming of the Messiah by tossing money into a collection plate, and then you’re good to go; he said to “make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain 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.”
We offer God not only our resources but our very lives and being. Both require a level of sacrifice, which means opening ourselves up to being refined by the Lord.
How, then, do we straighten the crooked paths of our hearts or smooth out the roughness? To start, perhaps offer up exactly that. I know for myself that my prayers often involve acknowledging that I have fallen short AND asking for God’s help to do better. I mean, that’s LITERALLY what I’ve been praying for as of late.
I like to think I’m a pretty charitable and compassionate guy. I give my time and resources, I serve, and I listen to the needs of others within my work role. However, I’ve begun noticing that there’s the odd person who really “grinds my gears,” with whom I am often far from charitable. My big prayer for the last few weeks has been for help in this area: “Lord, help me to be charitable with those I find difficult to be so.” Though some days, admittedly, my prayer is simply, “Lord, help me to want to be charitable.”
Perhaps there’s an area in your life, a bad habit, a grudge that is building into resentment, something that’s holding you back from preparing your heart for Jesus.
Is that something you’re willing and able to offer to him today? And if not, maybe your offering can simply be asking for the strength and courage to want to offer it.
As we move into our second week of Advent, how can you continue to wait in hope? What is one thing you can offer to the Lord at Mass, so as to help prepare your heart for His arrival?
As the prophet Baruch said, “Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God.” May we all do exactly this with God’s grace during this Advent season.
