The straight path

     This fourth day of December has the Church celebrating the memorial of Saint John Damascene, a priest and Doctor of the Church.  He was born in Damascus at the end of the seventh century.  He was born of a Christian family and was a learned philosopher and theologian.  He became a monk and then was ordained a priest and lived near Jerusalem.

     It is reported that he prayed:

"Lord, do not let my heart lean either to the right or to the left, but let your good Spirit guide me along the straight path."

     The most accurate GPS navigation of our lives is found in the Holy Spirit.  Knowing that fact and being open to the Spirit is the first step at arriving at our destiny.  Having driven in some areas of northern West Virginia (not on the interstates) I know that the route from point A to point B can be confusing and very round-a-bout.  No offense to our west Virginia neighbors.

      Our path to the Lord can also carry us in the most indirect of ways.  That it is why it is important to seek the help of the Spirit of the Lord so that our paths remain straight and the way smooth.  We hear that description in the Scriptures (in fact on this coming Sunday) where we are called to prepare for the coming of the Lord and for our journey to him by leveling  every mountain and filling in every valley … we must pave the rough road and straighten every curve … so that nothing, NOTHING, will impede our progress.

     John Damascene knew this and offered this simple prayer … which could be our own.  Prepare ye the way of the Lord.