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: