Note: it was pointed out that I had not posted the homily for the 2nd Sunday of Advent – so…here it is.

There are questions that are rooted in curiosity, such as, the stained glass windows in our church; where did they come from? There are questions that are seeking necessary and important information. There are all manner of questions: choice, open, rhetorical, probing, motivational, leading, and many more. But right there in the middle of the second reading is the question of questions brought to us by St. Peter: “…what sort of person ought you to be…”  Heck of a question.

In his other letter, St. Peter tells us to always be ready to give an answer for the Hope we have within. I think that is great advice and I think we would be well served if we have a ready answer for what kind of person we want to be. So what kind of person ought you be? And I think another great question is how are you going to construct this list of attributes. You might wander down the greeting card aisle in your favorite store and take notes. You could always query the internet or better yet ask ChapGPT, one of your friendly Artificial Intelligences. Here’s a response from our AI friend:

The kind of person you ought to be is a subjective and personal decision. However, here are some general principles that many people find helpful in guiding their behavior and character development: authenticity, honest, reliable, compassionate, resilient, open-minded, generous, responsible, open to learn, and grateful.

OK…not a bad list, but I didn’t see “loving” as one of the attributes. Makes me wonder as Christians ought our list be subjective and personal? Or is there something external to us that holds up the image of who we ought to be? Maybe it’s a role model, yeah? Certainly there are people in our immediate lives whose characteristics we went to emulate. But where did they get their list? What makes their list better than an AI-generated list? What is the sure and certain source for a list of characteristics that will shape us into the person we ought to be and who witnesses those characteristics to the world. … and, if asked, we have a ready answer for them as to the list source and why we follow that list?

I think the answer for Christians (and for all people) is Sacred Scripture, the Bible. The answer begins in the beginning: “God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them.” (Gen 1:27) We were created in the image of God. Think about that. That is beyond amazing! And when the people of God reflected upon their experience with God, here is what they wrote: “a God gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love and fidelity, continuing his love for a thousand generations, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin.” (Ex 34:6-7). This is the most quoted passage in the Bible. And this is why St. Paul tells us: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you.” (Col 3:12-13)  In short, you were created in the image of God, we have the testimony of the people of God’s experience with God, and so be a living exemplar of the image in the way you walk through this world. If you profess a love of God, then be God’s image in the world. Then, as it says in the first reading: “Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together.” (Isaiah 40:5)

“…what sort of person ought you to be…”  Be the kind of person whose life can slide into our gospel reading: “As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out..: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’ Then [your name] appeared in [your hometown]”

We are that messenger sent into the world, to prepare ourselves and others to be what we already are: the image of God: “God gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love and fidelity, continuing his love for a thousand generations.” The love of God poured into our hearts so that His divine love continues for a thousand generations – one person at a time. So that what the world sees in you is one of “God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another.”

As the prophet Isaiah reminds us, “we are the clay and you, O Lord, our potter: we are all the work of your hand.” Let potter shape you to be who you ought to be, were created to be: holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another.

This week pick one, just one, and take that into prayer, being mindful during the day, and living it out for the glory of God. Let the Divine Potter shape you to be who you ought to be. Then the answer to the question of questions will be lived on in your life.

A heck of a question, needs a heck of an answer.

Amen.