Father Bob's Reflections

“Prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!”  Isaiah 40:3

Even the interstate can be a place for reflection. . .

John the Baptist was the great Advent figure who cried out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight his paths.

Where are we going, Lord?
Every day we are on a journey, Lord, that will not be complete until we meet You.
In our daily commutes, stuck in traffic, are we making progress in our spiritual journey, Lord?
Are we making a straight highway in the spiritual wilderness which is America today, Lord?

John’s message was one of repentance.
When he said, “make straight his paths,” he meant clear a way for the coming of God into our heart and soul.
If we don’t do that, our Christmas will be hollow, empty, Lord.
In all of our pre-Christmas bustle and hustle are we preparing a straight path for you to come
into our hearts, our homes, our workplace, our land, our world this Christmas?
What are we doing, Lord?
Where is our life’s journey taking us?
What is life really  all about?

I-95 at 2 AM can help us ponder that question.
Thank you, Lord.

With love,

Bob Traupman / priest / writer

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The gospel for Sunday, December 7, 2008 . . .

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
”Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
’Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

With love,

Bob Traupman

priest / writer