Make Crooked Ways Straight

     “I will lead the blind on their journey; by paths unknown I will guide them. I will turn darkness into light before them, and make crooked ways straight. These things I do for them, and I will not forsake them” (Isaiah 42 vs. 16).



     We all have loved ones who are not currently practicing their faith. The reasons vary from person to person: some out of ignorance, not realizing the gifts and treasures of their faith; some stemming from hurts and disappointments for which God is blamed; others are indifferent and don’t see the importance of a relationship with God; still others have stopped believing in God and look at their childhood faith as a myth, likened to believing in Santa.

     Regardless of the reason, our hearts ache and are pained by the fact that God does not hold a place in their lives anymore. Our minds cannot comprehend just how it happened. We recall the love and fervor they had as a child. We remember teaching them about God, Jesus, Mary, and all of the saints. We recall their excitement in receiving Jesus for the first time in Holy Communion, and the little sacrifices they would make, for what seemed, their love for God.

     Somewhere along the way their faith stopped growing. The ways of the world were stronger because their faith had not matured to an adult faith. They no longer saw its value. It was something that was handed on to them, but they never embraced it as their own. It withered and it died from lack of nourishment.

     Papa’s heart breaks even more than ours. He sent His only Son, Jesus, to redeem all of mankind. He loves and cares about them and will give them all that’s needed to bring them back.

     Like a mother who experiences labor to give birth to her child, God gives us the opportunity to exercise a spiritual labor, which can help “give birth” to spiritual life in our loved ones. God allows us to unite our pain and sorrow, our prayers and sacrifices with those of Christ’s. It is called redemptive suffering.

     When we have to wait: offer it up. When we have to do work but we’d rather not: offer it up. When we pick up a pin, bring the shopping cart back to the store, go to work, fold the clothes, bite our tongue, smile when we don’t feel like it, fast from sweets: offer it up.

     There are countless opportunities each day to make a difference for the spiritual well being of our loves ones: we just have to become aware and offer everything to God.

     We have God’s promise that He will not forsake anyone. Jesus preached time and time again about God’s tenacity to seek out “the one” who has strayed, who is lost, and who has turned his back on Him. “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?”  (Lk. 15 vs. 4)

     Because God knows each of us so well, He knows the best way into our heart and will be very exact in seeking “the one.” This often happens in ways we never would have imagined: sometimes the path back to God is filled with pain, while other times it’s full of surprises. Whatever way it happens, our hearts are filled with joy and gratitude that our loved one is back with God! And we are not the only ones rejoicing.  

     “I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance” ( Lk. 15 vs. 7).

     So have faith that God will lead your loved ones by paths unknown to them; will turn their darkness into light; will make their crooked ways straight; and one day will bring them back into the arms of Papa!

     Rejoice! I say it again, rejoice!