VIRTUES OF COMMUNITY LIFE: PART 2
“A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
During Advent, these words of the Prophet Isaiah are often used as an examination of conscience. We are invited to ask, “What are the obstacles, the mountains, and rough ways in my heart that get in the way of the coming of God?” A good and worthwhile question. This year, in the context of reflecting on the virtues of communal life, I want to turn the question and ask, “Are there ways that our words or actions as individuals or as a community have been the obstacles, the mountains, and rough ways that get in the way of other people coming to God?” If others, especially those who are not living the faith, see in us primarily criticism, complaining, or divisiveness, those become high mountains and hills, rough roads that may make it harder for them to encounter Christ. The opposite is also true: if they see in us an example of love, mutual support, and goodness, that can smooth the way for them to see God.
Jesus says so beautifully in the Gospel of John, “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” This Advent, may we renew our resolve to show in word and deed our love for one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, so that we may smooth the way for others to see the salvation of God through us.