The first reading today again comes from the Prophet Isaiah. Over the course of the week so far, the readings from the prophet have moved from the promise and announcement of the hoped-for King and redeemer, to the King establishing his rule, to yesterday’s banquet scene to which the faithful are invited and all are welcomed. This is the King more powerful than worldly empires and more trustworthy than all the successors to David’s throne. This is the King who comes to us in the Holy Eucharist.

We made it, right? What could go wrong? “A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.” (Isa 26:1) We are in the presence of the Lord! But the problem is that the people of the Lord, the faithful, have been there before. If you follow the journey of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, through the Exodus, into the Promised Land with Joshua, all throughout the time of the Judges and into the era of the Kingdom, there is one constant: the people are hard-hearted, obstinate, and will turn away from God. Consider this constant refrain from Judges: this generation did not know the Lord, they did evil in His sight, and “In those days there was no king in Israel” (Judges 21:25a)

My point is that famous last words of people of faith as a history of saying: We made it, right? What could go wrong? And yet it is the history of humanity to want to explore outside of the walls and ramparts that were given by God to protect us.  From the first sin of Adam and Even to the final verse of the Book of Judges, “everyone did what was right in their own sight” (Judges 21:25b)

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” (George Santayana) But perhaps one might think that a bit dramatic – after all things are completely different in our day and age. True, but human nature is not. Maybe Santayana missed the mark, but Mark Twain was likely on point: “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme.”

Indeed, “A strong city have we” with walls and ramparts to protect us. We are keepers of the faith, custodians of the city and as such we are the facility managers so to speak. We inspect, repair, shore up, strengthen, improve and take care that the city remains ever strong.

Such is the opportunity of Advent.

Image credit: Prophet Isaiah, Mosaic, Right of Lunette, South Wall of Presbytery, Basilica of San Vitale | PD-US | Pexels