Repair, Maintenance and Preparation

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Advent Season: Second Week : Second Sunday*

*Gospel : Lk 3:1-6*

*First Reading : Baruch 5:1-9*

*Responsorial Psalm : 126: 1-6*

*Second Reading : Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11*

*Repair, Maintenance and Preparation*

*1) Repair and Maintenance*

These are two important words, which play a very important role in our life 

Very often we hear these words, and there is no end for repair and maintenance 

If one fails to pay attention to repair and maintenance, then there is a greater danger of collapsing the whole thing

Therefore one should pay attention to these words 

*2) John the Baptist on Repair and maintenance*

In the Gospel of the day, John speaks about repair and maintenance as a preparation for Jesus coming 

In John's advice on repair and maintenance, there are 4 things which are very important 

*A)  Repair of the Valley* Filling of the valley takes the primary place in repairing the path 

*B) Repiar of Mountain and Hills* They should be brought low so that way may be possible for the Lord

*C) Repair of the Roads* especially to pay attention to the curves to make straight

*D) Repair of the Ways* especially those ways which are rough

These rough ways should be made smooth so that one can travel comfortably

*3) Repair in Life*

Ultimately John speaks about the repair in our life 

Repair in life is more demanding, difficult and challenging

Repair in life involves many things 

Unless one repairs ones life, there can't be growth 

Repair in life is a continuous process 

*4) Things which need Repair in our life*

*Repair of the valley:*

Valleys are to be filled 

The valley of sin 

The valley of arrogance

The valley of anger 

The valley of pride 

These valleys can be filled with holiness, love, simplicity and though the other values 

*Repair the Mountains and Hills*

The mountain and Hill of ego 

The mountain and hill of selfishness

The mountain and hill of unfaithfulness 

The mountain and hill of revenge

Through the Power of the Word of God one can repair these mountains and Hills 

*Repair the Roads*

In our spiritual life roads are very important. They lead us to Jesus, to the others, to heaven, to the needy and to the lost ones 

So the need to repair the roads is very essential

*Repair of the way*

This way shows us what is good and what is bad. The way which leads us to heaven. Such ways are to be made smooth for the better journey

*5) JCB for the Repair and Maintenance*

In today's system the JCB takes the primary place in repair 

In our Spiritual life The Word of God works like a JCB, which is very powerful, having two sharp edges, that can cut anything

Word of God is so powerful, it can simply repair all the roads, valleys, hills and mountains and rough ways 

*6) Am I ready for Repair?*

Repair is very essential in our life 

One who does not pay attention to the repair, later it becomes very difficult and at times, it goes out of control and the whole thing can be collapsed

Spiritual repair is more important than the material repair 

What are the areas which need repair in my life? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*