In the gospel, John the Baptist repeats Isaiah’s prophecy about a time to come when ground will be made level and paths straight. In biblical terms these words are metaphors for the change that needs to happen in one’s personal life.

IN THE YEAR of President X, during the term of Governor Y, when Mr. Z was mayor, and Pope A was occupying the Chair of Peter, the world’s superpowers were currently B and C. In these involved and conflicted times (and, seriously, have there ever been times when nothing was at stake and no one was at war?) there came a person out of nowhere—say, a fellow from the southern desert—who claimed to have a word from heaven about all of this.

THE ADVENT journey invites us to trust God who leads us and fills in and levels the dark valleys ahead. In his Testament, Saint Francis of Assisi wrote: “When I was in my sins, just to see lepers was very bitter for me. And the Lord himself took me among them, and I showed mercy to them. And on leaving them, what seemed bitter to me had turned for me into sweetness of body and soul.”

My friends in Christ, we continue the season of Advent when we ready ourselves for the coming of God’s presence in Christ. In the presence of God our Creator, we ask for mercy.

Luke’s lineup of political rulers points a finger at some of Christ’s opposition to come: Pilate—his executioner; Herod Antipas and Philip—the brothers to whom the Romans handed the kingdom of their father Herod the Great; and Annas and Caiaphas—his persecutors. Weak men all, in a way.

Who should play John the Baptist, that great shaggy herald, in the movies? My vote goes to Viggo Mortensen: He’s tough, fit, wild, and just dreamy-eyed enough to be the prophet.

To find joy in another’s joy, that is the secret of happiness. —George Bernanos