What does it mean to go ahead and prepare the way?

What does it mean to go ahead and prepare the way?

Deep into evaluating the performance of my students this term, the verse from today’s gospel that struck me the most is: “I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.”

In a way, the vocation of a teacher is someone like the messenger who goes ahead and prepares the way — maybe for God Himself like John the Baptist, or maybe for those who wish to follow a more virtuous path.

What stands out to me is that the one who goes ahead does not necessarily pull the next generation; the one who goes ahead and builds paths leaves it to the next generation on whether they are willing to walk that path. Then those who successfully cross can then co-create the way in a virtuous cycle.

Preparing the way, or “pathbreaking work”, is definitely hard and tiring. But seeing dedicated students attempt to cross that path however they can — some sprint, others march, still others crawl and struggle but do not relent — is enough to fill the heart.

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Luke 7:24-30. I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 349: DECEMBER 15, 2022]