To the Ends of the Earth: Witness – Week 4, Day 4 – We Are Not Just Journeymen But Road Construction Workers

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,

   and cry to her

that her warfare is ended,

   that her iniquity is pardoned,

that she has received from the LORD’s hand

   double for all her sins.

A voice cries:

“In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD,

   make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Every valley shall be lifted up,

   and every mountain and hill be made low;

the uneven ground shall become level,

   and the rough places a plain.

And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,

   and all flesh shall see it together,

   for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Isaiah 40:1–5

In ancient times, when a king visited a city, people would go out to the roads leading into the city, clear away branches and stones, and make the way smooth and straight for the king to enter.^* Isaiah and the Gospel writers use this image to give comfort and hope to those who have been waiting for the heavenly king.

God desires to enter into the hearts of his people. As servants of the King of kings, we are called to help prepare those hearts, to smooth the sufferings, and make straight the way in the wilderness of sin and sorrow so that Christ may come in and transform their lives. Sometimes this will involve going out to real highways and distant places; sometimes it will involve a few steps to a neighbor, a coworker, or a brother in need.

As Catholic men, we journey over rugged roads made smooth by the love and care of others who served our needs in the name of Christ. We are called to do the same for others. This work involves going out in obedience, repairing the rough roads, filling in the empty places worn by the world, and smoothing out the uneven twists and turns along the highway toward eternity. Confident that Christ will be our guide, we take on this heavenly construction project, knowing our efforts will help to make the journey smoother for those who are seeking the way to salvation. As we help to build and rebuild a foundation of faith in those who are looking for the One who can fill their heavy hearts, we know that the end of the journey will be a triumphant procession with our brothers and sisters into heaven itself.

^* Larry Broding, “A Contrary Sign,” Word-Sunday.com, www.word-sunday.com/ Files/c/2Advent-c/A-2Advent-c.html (accessed October 8, 2018).

Questions for reflection

How have other men helped to make your way of faith straight and smooth?

What trials, uncertainty, or suffering have you faced on your journey of salvation?

Where do you feel God calling you to make the way smooth for another to encounter Christ?

Praying with Scripture

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. (2 Cor 2:14)

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