Lincoln's Log
12-9-12
“Prepare the way of the Lord.”
(Lk. 3:6)
“Proper
preparation prevents poor performance.” This was a phrase one of
my former pastors used all the time. He had served in the United
States Marine Corps before being called to the priesthood and I think
he learned that phrase there. He called it the 5 P's and tried to
live his life as an individual who was prepared for anything.
Today
we are reminded by John the Baptist of the importance of preparation.
John, who could have been a Marine himself, is a voice crying out in
the desert. He is a challenging figure who calls us to prepare.
And
how does John call us to prepare. We are to prepare through
repentance. We are to change our hearts. We are to change our
minds. And we are to change our lives. We are to prepare by turning
away from all that hinders love in our lives. We are to let go of
our addictions and destructive habits. We are to move beyond
selfishness. We are to change our lives. Repent!
It
is through repentance that miracles can happen. In repenting, “every
valley shall be filled in and every mountain and hill shall be made
low.” We are made to love. Repentance is allowing love to flow
through our lives, like a river in the desert.
When
we properly prepare this Advent our lives are changed. Love flows.
If our love has been experiencing “poor performance” in our lives
due to sin, advent is just what we need to straighten ourselves out.
John's voice calls us to prepare the way of love. “Make the path
straight.”
Together,
we respond to John's voice in the desert and pray that “all flesh
shall see the salvation of our God.”
Peace,
Lincoln
A. Wood
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