Baruch 5:1-9 / Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11 / Luke 3:1-6

One interesting thing about living in Bellevue is there is really no good way to get to Cedar Rapids.  From Dubuque, it’s easy, get on Highway 151 and go, but from here there are about 10 different ways and I feel like, after trying seemingly all of them, they are all only 3 minutes faster or slower than the next, and none of them are really good or obviously the best. 

I mean, they are all windy and up and down, several of them require gravel travel, which I don’t mind at all since I grew up on it, but at the same time it is less than ideal, a little rough. Going by Bernard is the top Google Maps one, but it isn’t perfect. I’ve tried going south all the way to Highway 30, I’ve tried going north to cut over at St. Donatus, and even farther north past St. Catherine to get to 151, that might be my favorite route but it is a few minutes slower.

I’ve talked to a few people about it, asked them their favorite routes, and they vary, but you know what nobody has told me?  Nobody has told me, “Someday they are gonna build a 4 lane that cuts straight west to Highway 151, just have hope.” That’s what I want you know, a straight shot, level the hills, fill in the valleys, I want a straight road west right to 151, but there isn’t any hope of that ya know?  I know it’s not gonna happen.

In today’s readings we heard about this notion of making the road straight and level.  Both the first reading and the Gospel mention it, the prophet Baruch said, “For God has commanded that every mountain be made low, and that the depths and gorges be filled to level ground, that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God.” John the Baptist said it too, quoting Isaiah, adding that “The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

This gave the people hope that they could reach their destination.  In those days, it was a dark time.  At the time of Baruch, the people had been exiled to Babylon, they couldn’t even go to the Temple.  At the time of Jesus, the Roman occupation was oppressive and brutally harsh.  

All the people wanted was to be able to worship their God and live in peace, but it was challenging, yet these readings gave them hope for their future. What is our future destination?  Obviously the important destination isn’t Cedar Rapids, the destination we all really care about is Heaven. We know this is all temporary, what we really care about is eternity.  We are just traveling through this Earth, Heaven is what is important.

And the good thing is, Jesus came into the darkness and illuminated the best way. Jesus has given us the straightest, smoothest, flattest path to our ultimate destination of Heaven which is through the Church.  Yeah, it isn’t perfect, but she gives us the Sacraments: Baptism starts us down the path, and Confirmation gives us a Holy Spirit boost and keeps us going. The Eucharist gives us strength as we go. Confession and Anointing heal us from the challenges and hurts we face. Marriage and Holy Orders give us companions for our journey.

The older I get, the more different paths I try and I see, it just is more and more clear the Catholic Church is the best one.  The Church does so much for us as we go, but one additional thing She does is gives us different readings each day to help us, for instance, the readings yesterday, included a prophecy from Isaiah said, “The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst. No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher, While from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: "This is the way; walk in it," when you would turn to the right or to the left.” (30:19-21, 23-26)

I read that as I was preparing for this homily, it is just so clear to me, God the Father gives us bread from Heaven, Jesus in the Eucharist, and He gives us water, which is the Holy Spirit, and we can see our Teacher here at Mass, and we can hear the Holy Spirit guide us every day, in every decision along the path.  It is just so clear how much God loves us and is still with us, guiding us when we choose to set our feet on the path He has given us. 

I pray that fills you with hope too!  Things won’t ever be perfect here, I know I will never get my four lane to Cedar Rapids, but that doesn’t matter, I’ve got my four lane to Heaven, and I’m hoping you are all with me for the ride.