“Prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight his paths.”

This prophecy of St John the Baptist more or less sums up the whole Advent project. In the midst of the Christmas rush, we’re called to review our lives. What has become twisted? What has become an obstacle to God’s grace?

But John’s turn of phrase, “Make straight his paths,” always reminds me of a Spanish proverb: “God writes straight with crooked lines.”

It’s a good proverb to remember when plans fall apart. We must trust in God’s providence and wait patiently. Sometimes the adversity which we would avoid is an essential part of God’s plan and our growth.

Once upon a time, there was a Chinese farmer whose horse ran away. When news spread, his neighbours called in to commiserate.

“We’re sorry to hear your horse ran away,” they said. “How unfortunate!”

“We’ll see,” the farmer replied.

Next day the farmer’s horse returned, bringing seven wild horses in tow. When news spread, the neighbours called in to congratulate.

“We’re happy to hear you have eight horses now,” they said. “How fortunate!”

“We’ll see,” the farmer replied.

Next day the farmer’s son was breaking in the horses when he was thrown off and broke his leg. When news spread, the neighbours called in to commiserate.

“We’re sorry to hear your son is injured,” they said. “How unfortunate!”

“We’ll see,” the farmer replied.

Next day the military officers visited the province and conscripted all the able-bodied young men into the army. Because of his broken leg, the farmer’s son was exempt.

God draws good from evil, and in the words of St Paul: “For those who love God all things work together for good.”

It is also St Paul who wrote: “I was given a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to beat me and stop me from getting too proud! About this thing, I have pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me.”

I bet we can all relate to that. We all endure something we’d like to change, if only we could! A weakness or vice or addiction. Like Paul, we’ve begged God to deliver us from this thorn in the flesh.

And what is God’s reply? “My grace is enough for you.”

But can we respond as Paul responds? “I am quite content with my weakness … for it is when I am weak that I am strong.”

“Prepare the way of the Lord!” St John the Baptist tells us. “Make straight his paths.”

For the most part, that means getting our souls in order. Renouncing disorder. But we must also be kind to ourselves, and patient. There may be irregularities or imperfections in us which we cannot eliminate, and which displease us … but if they keep us humble, they might please God.