STOP !!!!!

"A voice crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths,......The winding roads shall be made straight," (Luke 3:4-5)

As I listened to that Gospel reading at mass, I was reminded of a segment we are developing for confirmation. The section is about "Construction" and from the "Signs of Faith " book, I am selecting Highway traffic signs that are associated with Scripture. The first three that I have had to memorize seem to be appropriate for Advent: STOP, School Crossing, and Men Working.

STOP "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)

School Zone " I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."
3 John 1:4

Men Working "Will you rely on him for his great strength?
Will you leave your heavy work to him?" Job 39:11


I guess my first task this Advent was to STOP and be still (which most would say is rather difficult for me!) . I did not judge my success by how physically quiet I was, but at how I tried to quiet my own thoughts and be more open to those around me. Ironic that when I focus on others, God's presence seems much stronger that when I am bellowing about what I want and need!

During the second week of Advent, I tried to really focus on where joy truly lies. Joy always seems to arrive when I walk in the truth. Not the truth of which culture tells me, not even the truth that some parishioners always seem to try to convince me of, but the truth that only the Spirit can convey to an open heart.

My third week of Advent focussed on attempting to really rely on Him for His strength and quietly and patiently pray that I let go of hangups and problems. I can't really handle my heavy work without Him anyway, can I? I always end up going to Him, hat in hand, with a rather sheepish look on my face and ask him to clean up my mess. I suppose I could actually hasten the process a little by going directly to Him first? Cut out all those 'middlemen' who think that they personally know all the answers?

The sign that I am memorizing for the last week of Advent is the BUMP traffic sign:

"I have told you these things,
so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

"Be still, know, joy , walking, strength, and peace" , those were the signs of His times and could be the signs of our times.