PREPARED!

[1]Less we forget, December 7, 1941; “a date which will live in infamy.” At about 8 a.m., Japanese planes filled the sky over Pearl Harbor. Bombs and bullets rained onto the vessels moored below. At 8:10, an 1,800-pound bomb smashed through the deck of the battleship USS Arizona and landed in her forward ammunition magazine. The ship exploded and sank with more than 1,000 men trapped inside, asleep. The prize for winning the Big Band competition the night before. Asleep, unaware of what was about to occur. There were other events that led to the success of Japan’s surprise attack. The signs were all there but either were missed or misinterpreted.[2]

The nation of Israel was in exile when Isaiah offers words of comfort and assurance: “Here is your God!” (Is 40:9). He is with you in exile. Exile was not simply a historical tragedy. The people had strayed from the covenant by idolatry, social injustice to the poor, and other transgressions. Exile was God’s chastisement, but the covenant was not lost forever. Jerusalem was destroyed, but the people embody its memory and deepest meaning. “Jerusalem” then and now embodies more than a place.

St. Ambrose, whom we honor today, wrote a reflection on Psalm 118 (our Ps 119) with a focus on the final verse: “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your servant, for I do not forget your commandments” (Ps 119:176). This longest hymn in the psalter continuously repeats eight terms praising the law of Moses as God’s gift. The term torah is essentially a way of life that God teaches through ordinary human experience.

Today’s Advent readings speak to this theme in the image of sheep. Palestinians and shepherds, in many cultures, create a relationship with their flock: knowing the shepherd’s voice, often meant protection from predators, nourishment with food, and being sought out when lost. The statue of a shepherd boy with a lamb over his shoulder dates to biblical times. The inclusion of sheep in manger scenes is a tradition that speaks to all, young and old alike. The Christ Child came into the world to call and to teach.

Ambrose concludes in his reflection on the psalm: “Lift me up, born not of Sarah but of Mary, as she is a virgin incorrupt, indeed a virgin by grace free from all stain of sin.” He understood, as a Church father our salvation is not law, but God’s great mercy manifested in Christ.[3]

“Prepare the way of the Lord” (Is 40:3) Jesus is our Good Shepherd who nurtures and leads us. Let’s all remember; Jesus proposed and never imposed. He meets people where they are and calls them to reconciliation and community. We are commissioned to continue his work by proposing what is good to others and modeling it in our daily lives.

Let us not be caught sleeping but prepared in mind, body, and spirit for His coming.

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[1] Scripture (NABRE), Isaiah 40:1-11; Matthew 18:12-14.

[2] History.com, “Pearl Harbor” by History.com Editiors. Original post: Oct 29, 2009; Updated: Dec 2, 2021.

[3] Weekday HomilyHelps, Exegesis and Homily Suggestion by Edward Owens, OSST