How many of us have run over a pothole?
I’m sure we do all the time — after all, it’s New Jersey.
Now I’m not trying to hate on the “Garden State,” but its other name should be the “Pothole State,” because potholes are everywhere, especially right here on Pompton Avenue.
Think about how frustrated we can get when we run over a really deep one. The impact is so strong that you can feel it in your wrists while gripping the steering wheel!
It’s quite an unpleasant experience — for us and for the car.
At some point, our roads become so damaged they’re nearly impossible to drive on. Only then does the Department of Transportation finally come and fill those potholes in.
But when they do, it’s like a brand new road – or you might say, a new beginning.
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In all fairness, bad roads are not only a Jersey phenomenon – they existed all over the ancient world, too. And like us, kings hated them.
The only difference is they had the power to repair them!
In fact, before a king would visit a town, he’d send his messengers before him to notify the villagers of his coming.
It became their responsibility to level any pothole or remove any obstacle in his way. A smooth path was a sign of welcome to the king.
This is what the prophet Isaiah is talking about when he said:
“Prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight a highway for our God! Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; the rugged land shall be made a plain” (Isaiah 40:3-4).
Isaiah knows that one day the Lord will visit his people in the flesh, so Israel must be ready to welcome him.
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John the Baptist repeats this ancient prophecy in today’s Gospel, saying, “Prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight his path!”
John knows the time has come; the Lord is on his way.
But he also knows that what God wants is not a ready road, but a ready heart.
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God wants a ready heart.
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For this reason, John travels in haste throughout the region, telling everyone in Israel to repent. They all had obstacles or potholes in their lives that needed to be repaired.
For some it was a lack of faith. For others it was a lack of concern for their neighbor, a hardened heart, or even the false worship of another god.
Though their struggles may have been different, everyone needed to repent and prepare the way of the Lord.
Interpreting John’s warning, the question becomes for us, “Where are the potholes in our own lives?”
Are we weak in faith? Have we failed to show concern for our neighbor? Are we in need of forgiveness, either from God or someone else?
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Advent is the time for us to seek a new beginning.
In order to do that, we must first examine our own lives and see where we may have failed to love – either ourselves, our neighbor, or our God.
And then ask for that forgiveness, particularly in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The Lord’s mercy is always available, but it can only be received with a penitential heart.
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We all run over potholes from time to time. You may even hit a few on your way home, especially if you’re driving on Pompton Avenue.
But like our roads, we are all imperfect — we’re in need of some repair.
Let’s be patient with each other, then, especially as we gather around the table this Christmas, knowing we are all in need of a Savior.
Come, Lord Jesus!