Holy Spirit, help me prepare the way of the Lord and make his paths straight…

 
Matthew 3:1-12

 
When we first moved into our home, our property was adjacent to an abandoned railway track. Awkward, creosote-soaked, ties were staggered amongst brambles and bushes of all sizes, and large chunks of coal and rocks made walking along the tracks almost impassable. Thankfully, the municipality recognized the gift that such a ‘way’ could be for walkers and cyclists and within two years workers had prepared a beautiful walking/bike path. They continue to maintain this straight pathway that spans several kilometers of beautifully forested land. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, John the Baptist counseled the crowds that came to him for baptism, to go and prepare the way of the Lord, and to make his paths straight – to pull up the sin-soaked memories and the habits of dissolute living; to get rid of the rigid rails that are the worldly values and beliefs that they followed to try and get to heaven; to toss away the rocks of dissipation, addictions, and the cares and worries of this world; to smooth out the bumps and boulders; and to lay down a good layer, not of crushed stone, but of obedience to the righteousness of God. Will I transform the neglected and overgrown path of my life into a prepared and well-maintained, and straight way for the Lord, that will allow me to ‘walk with Jesus’? Holy Spirit help me prepare the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight.
 
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits.   (Psalm 103:1)
 
The most deadly poison of our times is indifference. And this happens even though the praise of God should know no limits. Let us strive, therefore, to praise him to the greatest extent of our powers.
St. Maximilian Kolbe
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
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