This morning’s Advent calendar offering is a piece of chalk. I associate chalk with school lessons and hopscotch or four-square grids. Sometimes during the school year the St. Michael younger students cover the parking lot in chalk art. As I walk through the school yard with my dog in the evenings, I often admire our future abstract expressionists, and Cappy checks them out to see if he can eat them. Today, I'm reflecting on what humble chalk can teach us about preparing our hearts for Christ?


Advent is a season of preparation. Just as John the Baptist cried out in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight His paths” (Matthew 3:3), so too are we called to make room in our hearts for Christ. A piece of chalk invites us to consider what “straight paths” mean in our spiritual lives. How are we paving the way for Jesus to enter our hearts?

Chalk is used to draw lines, often with care and precision. In our lives, those lines represent the boundaries we set, the priorities we choose, and the values we uphold. Are the paths we’re drawing leading toward God, or are they veering off into distractions, pride, or complacency? Advent is the time to pause, reflect, and redraw those paths where needed, aiming for clarity, repentance, and humility.


Isaiah’s words in today’s first reading resonate deeply: “I, the LORD, your God, teach you what is for your good and lead you on the way you should go” (Isaiah 48:17). God’s guidance is always available, but it requires a willing heart to follow. Advent’s second week emphasizes conversion, urging us to smooth the rough terrain of our hearts. Like a teacher sketching a lesson on a chalkboard, God patiently shows us the way to live in His light.

This theme is embodied in today’s Gospel, where Jesus highlights the wisdom found in actions, not just words. “Wisdom is vindicated by her works” (Matthew 11:19). Repentance isn’t just about feeling sorry for our sins; it’s about actively changing course, redrawing the crooked lines of our lives into straight paths that lead to God.


On this Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr, we find inspiration in her unwavering faith and clarity of purpose. Lucy’s name means “light,” and she serves as a beacon for those seeking to illuminate their lives with Christ’s truth. Despite suffering greatly for her faith, Lucy’s witness shone brightly, demonstrating the power of a heart fully aligned with God’s will.

Her story reminds us that drawing straight paths often requires courage and sacrifice. Lucy’s life was a testament to the strength that comes from trusting in God’s guidance, even in the face of adversity. As we reflect on her martyrdom, we are encouraged to persevere in our own spiritual journeys, trusting that God’s light will guide us.

Here’s a challenge for today: Take a moment to draw a straight line on a piece of paper with a real piece of chalk, if you have one, or simply in your imagination. As you do, reflect on what “straightening your path” means for you this Advent. Is there a habit you need to change, a relationship that needs mending, or a prayerful commitment you’ve been avoiding? Invite Christ to be your guide, and commit to walking a clearer, more intentional path toward Him.

Saint Lucy’s example and today’s readings remind us that the straight path is illuminated by God’s light and wisdom. Let this simple piece of chalk inspire us to draw our lives closer to Christ, preparing our hearts for the joy of His coming.