“Prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!” Isaiah 40:3
This image was taken on I-95 between St. Augustine and Jacksonville one misty December Sunday morning about 2 AM. I was living in St. Augustine at the time. (My bishop, whom I was surprised was checking out my blog, quipped: “What were you doing out at 2 AM? I was bemused by his comment and also that I had captured a busy bishop as a reader — if just for a moment.)
On my way home from “Father Bob’s night out,” I was so taken by the magic of the vista before me I had to pull off and capture it on my Canon Power Shot.
For me, even the interstate can be a place for reflection. . .
I was thinking of John the Baptist’s message that also appeared in yesterday’s gospel:
“Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight his paths.”
And this was what I wrote three years ago, inspired by that moment on the side of a highway at 2 AM on a magical / mystical Sunday morning.
Where are we going, Lord?
Every day we’re on a journey 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 wasteland I sometimes think America is today, Lord.
John’s message was one of repentance.
When he said, “make straight his paths,” he meant to clear a way for the coming of God into our heart and soul.
Get rid of the roadblocks that stop us from making progress. Our addictions. Our resentments. Our selfishness.
If we don’t make an effort to 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? Reallydoing with our lives?
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.
I realized that was a special moment for me; a moment I seized.
Or rather seized me.
Carpe diem.
Thank you, Lord.
On Monday morning there would be a return to frenzied / furied / hurried / unaware / unreflected lives of many going to and fro and not know really where they’re going.
Time for a change, dear friend? Time for a change?
P. S. Be aware there are some among us who find holidays a time of dread and loneliness. People who’ve lost a loved one. Families that are broken. Children who can’t be with both parents for Christmas. Familes with parents in the military. Keep them in your prayer. And if you know one of them, give them a call or invite them for Christmas dinner.
Father Bob's Reflections 