There is a lot going on this week: the nation remembers Pearl Harbor, the church remembers St. Ambrose and St. Lucy, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the Season of Advent continues. And then there is the whole of “Christmas things.” We all are getting busy about many things and our list of things to do just gets a little longer.

Since the beginning of Advent this year we have heard from the Prophet Isaiah. The verses have all been brimming with Hope. Today is a bit of an exception. I would note that in all times, especially so in troubling times, there are some among us who lead with Hope. Some among us have retreated into different kinds of shells, keeping the world at bay, keeping Hope at a distance. Some just flat out do not listen. The passage from the Prophet Isaiah, is from a section in which the prophet is exasperated by the people’s failure to respond:

Thus says the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, the LORD, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go. If you would hearken to my commandments, your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea; Your descendants would be like the sand, and those born of your stock like its grains, Their name never cut off or blotted out from my presence. (Is 48:17-19)

It is an appeal for obedience.  It is the divine “leave no one behind” call for our time, for all times. It is John the Baptist calling out: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Here in the Advent Season, parishes are holding Reconciliation Services in addition to their regular availability for the Sacrament of Confession – our service is Wednesday evening, December 18th at 7:00 pm.

The words of Isaiah are a nice reminder as the words of John the Baptist still echo from our Sunday Gospel as John urged people to “…repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

Take advantage of the opportunities. As is popularly said, “God has promised forgiveness to your repentance; He has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination.”

Don’t be left behind because of all the busyness.

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