2nd Sunday of Advent – C
December 8, 2024 5pm
Our Lady of Grace Parish, Parkton
The Donner Pass
Back in 1998, I had the opportunity to drive across country from California back home to Maryland.
One of my many good memories of that trip is the Donner Pass in California. This Pass is in the Sierra Nevada mountains, just west of the Nevada border.
I learned that this had been a very steep, virtually impossible area for crossing the Sierras. But it was also an excellent location for connecting the rest of the country with the more northern part of California.
So, in the 1860s, government engineers did a lot of dynamite blasting and excavation. They lowered and straightened this one part of the Sierra Nevadas.
And the result was that the Transcontinental Railroad was able to be opened here in 1869. Then, in the twentieth century, U. S. Route 40 – which goes through Maryland – and Interstate 80 were also able to be extended through here.
So, the Donner Pass is one of those significant accomplishments in the development of our country. Trains, cars, and trucks are able to pass through the mountains here because of the leveling and straightening of the terrain.
Gospel Images
I find this history of the Donner Pass helps me to appreciate the images in today’s readings.
In the gospel, John the Baptist is preparing for the coming of Christ and is preaching repentance. He expresses this with images that he takes from the Prophet Baruch in the first reading.
“Every valley shall be filled in and every mountain shall be made low. The winding ways shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth.”
I have always liked these images. They express figuratively what this Season of Advent calls us to do to allow the fuller coming of Christ into our lives.
Valleys and Mountains
So, let “Every valley… be filled in.”
Sometimes there are points in our lives where we feel empty, dry, alone, without any purpose. In these valleys, Advent fills us with hope.
This hope is not just optimism that everything will turn out as we want it. Instead, it is Jesus’ vision for living that gives purpose even in times of hardship.
So, let “Every valley…be filled in,” and then, let “Every mountain… be made low.”
Sometimes we can slip into thinking that we are better than others because of our job, our religion, our race, our education, or our nationality. When we are on these mountains of pride, Advent reminds us of what we will celebrate at Christmas.
God became one of us and one with us in the birth of Christ. This moves us to the humble awareness that we are to see ourselves as one of and one with all human beings.
Winding and Rough Ways
Then, let “The winding ways…be made straight.”
At times we can be tempted to be untruthful about something maybe to make ourselves look better. When we get into these winding ways, the Advent prophet John the Baptist is a good example.
He speaks in a direct and straightforward way. In doing that, he moves us to be truthful about ourselves, and to do this as the way to wholeness and holiness.
And finally, let “The rough ways…be made smooth.” Sometimes we may explode with anger at something a family member does or get into road rage when someone cuts us off in traffic.
When we find ourselves roughing up others like this, let’s remember the patience of Jesus. He was patient with the imperfections of people and called those who were roughing up others to smooth out their ways.
Conclusion
So, let’s allow these images to speak to us:
v filling up our valleys of emptiness with hope.
v levelling our mountains of pride with humility.
v straightening the winding way of deception with truthfulness.
v and smoothing the roughness of anger with patience.
This is an Advent plan – a way to allow Christ to come more fully into our lives. And, if we do this, we will be doing our part to make the last line of today’s gospel happen: “All humanity will see the salvation of God.”
