The Parable of the Pothole - Advent 2

 Luke 3: 1-6, Philippians 1: 3-11

In the northern hill country of New Brunswick weather affects one’s ability to travel in the winter and spring. Frozen ground, ice, snow, sleet, rain, water, cold temperatures; all leave their mark on the roads. Yearly these elements wreak havoc, making potholes the size of small cars and frost heaves – deep gouges that spread across the road- deep enough to bottom out a vehicle and propel it haphazardly off the farthest lip.

Locals remember from year to year where the frost heaves and potholes appear, yet often get caught, as one day the roads are smooth and the next the frost heave appears as if out of nowhere.

It doesn’t take long for the local road crew to fill their truck with sand and set out – filling the heaves and potholes with sand and packing it tightly, to make the road smooth. As the prophet said, the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh will see the salvation of God.

As the season warms and the ground thaws the road finds its equilibrium and gradually flattens out, pushing the sand out in the process. The sand disappears with rain and wind.

 

 This parable is told about a place where I use to live.  It is the only place I have lived -and it was only this small community in New Brunswick – where I have ever seen the filling of potholes and frost heaves with sand.

I have always wondered if the local road crew decided on their own – perhaps after losing the suspension on a vehicle or two, or because they were tired of phone calls of people complaining - to figure out a solution to the problem. They looked around the transportation yard and saw that they had lots of leftover sand in the barn, sand that would no longer be needed during the season to put on icy roads. So, they set out – without government permission, authorization, or oversight – and distributed the abundance of sand, making roads smooth, saving the bottoms of cars, and proactively stopping potential accidents. And in their work for the common good, they brought peace of mind, and gratitude from their neighbours. The community breaks out in songs of joy – well joy exhibited with less complaining and coffee and donuts taken to the road crew. Does this not sound like the kindom of God!?

 

A voice calls in the wilderness, “prepare the way of the Lord.”

I wrestle with the notion: is it -preparing the way of the Lord- as easy as filling potholes and frost heaves? I look around and see holes: holes in systems and services, in hearts and minds; I see individuals and peoples bent out of shape, and others heaving without purpose; I see a lack of wholeness in spirit, attitude, and being. There are gaping holes of loneliness and hopelessness.

The gospel today has John the Baptist in the wilderness – full of the 1^st century equivalent to potholes and frost heaves- in the vast loneliness and hopelessness of the wilderness John comes to fill the void. He comes filling the space with words – words; a message, that depending on who you are, you will hear the words as you need to hear them, in relation to the potholes and heaves you carry and that afflict you.  The words are potentially: accusation, threat, challenge, purpose, good news, hope, and/or promise.  Not only are the words filling the minds and hearts of individuals, but also tackling the potholes and frost heaves ignored and left behind by all levels of government and religious authorities.   Without permission or consultation of the authorities, John is working at addressing the holes that inhibit the coming of the kindom of God; that inhibit individuals and the community from the joy of living in God’s presence, abundance, and love.

 

This year in the lectionary, we read through the Gospel of Luke.  From the very start we are acutely aware that the gospel is not going to mince words, be politically correct, or try to keep people comfortable.  This morning’s reading specifically begins by setting John the Baptist in contrast to all levels of government and authority of his time. The chapter before -which is Jesus’ birth that we read on Christmas Eve- sets Jesus in contrast to various levels of government and authority.  Luke is unapologetically political, continually setting God’s kindom in contrast to the ways of the world. Luke’s message is one that focuses on filling potholes and frost heaves – making roads smooth- through participants in the gospel, often those who are marginalized, actively engaging with hope, healing, confronting power, being rid of demons, bringing the kindom near, and receiving joy.

 Luke is not an advocate of waiting for government to fix problems, rather the gospel’s words point people to proactively prepare for the coming of the Lord, to prepare the kindom -now- fill the potholes and frost heaves; preach a message that fills the voids of loneliness and hopelessness; and reaches for joy.

 

This Advent I picture the burly work crew at the transportation yard in New Brunswick. Although winter is beginning, and they will be about ploughing snow and sanding icy roads- in other words busy-… there is a part of them already preparing for spring.  I see them waiting shovel in hand and sand at the ready, with a spirit to work for the common good and to share the abundance of resources available.  I see them anticipating filling the potholes and frost heaves.

This Advent I picture this community as a work crew already preparing for spring – a spring of the heart and spirit. I see us waiting with shovels in hand and sand -hope, good news, a message of ‘you are not alone’ – at the ready, with a spirit to work for the common good and to share the abundance of resources. I anticipate us filling potholes and frost heaves and bringing the kindom- now- smoothing roads and the journeys of all, were loneliness and hopelessness are no more and all pathways are paved with joy.