A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

            – Isaiah 40:3-5

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.”

            – Matt. 3:1-3

With God’s grace, I especially need to heed St. John the Baptist…he didn’t “spit these words” in vain—

make straight the crooked: stop swerving, follow Him straight up, obedience.

fill every valley: build up what’s lacking, strengthen virtues.

hills made low: get rid of obstacles especially pride.

make plain the rough: drop attitude, impatience, rudeness, anger; smooth the rough edges.