I remember the first time I crossed the Rubicon; or, rather, the second time I crossed the Rubicon.
Julius Caesar
‘Crossing the Rubicon’ is a phrase made famous by Julius Caesar, when he rebelled against the authorities of the Roman Republic and seized power for himself. The Rubicon River in northeastern Italy marked a provincial boundary of the Republic. As military commander, Caesar had authority over his legions north of the Rubicon, but legally had to surrender that authority south of the Rubicon. In crossing the Rubicon and not relinquishing authority, Caesar was passing the point of no return. He would either become emperor or be executed for treason.
As a seminarian in central Italy, I was visiting the home of a fellow seminarian in northeastern Italy once, and I noticed on the map before our journey that we would be crossing the Rubicon. I was excited at the thought of retracing the route of Caesar. While at my friend’s house, I realized at some point that I had completely missed the Rubicon on the way up. So on the way back, I kept an attentive eye.
Disappointment
No wonder I missed it! After the sign informing us of the presence of the Rubicon River, we crossed what looked like a drainage ditch. What a disappointment! It would have taken Caesar longer to say the words ‘Alea jacta est’ than to actually hop over the thing.
I guess the point is that the most difficult obstacles in life, the greatest challenges we face, are usually caused by other people and not by features of nature. Physically, Caesar crossed the Rubicon easily. The threat would come in facing any army the authorities of the Republic would send against him.
Truly Miraculous
I guess in saying that the main challenges in life are caused by other people, I really should eliminate the word ‘other.’ The prophet in today’s readings uses such beautiful language. Imagine overlooking a vast chasm and seeing it miraculously filled in by God. Picture yourself before a giant mountain that gets wiped out by the invisible hand of God. Yet a greater, more momentous miracle than this is accomplished by Jesus. In living the perfect life and offering this life on the cross, he opens the way to heaven to us. The one hindrance that remains lies in our own hearts.
People today have overcome a heap of obstacles. We have crossed mountain ranges, traversed oceans, and attained the icy poles of our planet. We have made it to the bottom of the oceans and the peaks of the highest mountains. We have even begun to vanquish that monstrous barrier of space. But as far as attaining spiritual heights, as far as reaching what truly makes us happy, I think we as the human race are further away than we have been for a very long time.
This Advent is a time when we strive to remove the mountains and valleys that impede our Lord’s entrance into our hearts. Jesus has done his part: in these weeks before Christmas, let us do our part and greet him with a heart, a soul that welcomes him completely and entirely.
