SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

As we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent, let’s remember that the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred on Sunday, December 7^th, 1941.

I was three years old on that fateful Sunday evening and have been reminded of the details by my parents and siblings.  As a family, we were gathered in front of the large Philco radio to listen to our favorite comedy program,  Fibber McGee and Molly.  During the program, there was an interruption with a special announcement reporting the surprise attack by the Japanese, who had bombed the US Navy fleet and air assets at Pearl Harbor.  Ma and Dad immediately wrapped their arms around us.  This was the first time I ever remember our dad crying.  We said the rosary together, which was common for us to do during Lent but not during Advent.

Even at age three, I quickly realized this was not a normal Sunday evening, and I later realized it was a life-changing event.

 I had no idea of what the word “war” even meant. I had no idea where Hawaii was. I had no idea that our dad's youngest brother, our Uncle Bob, who was only 26 years old, had just completed flight training, was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and was assigned to the Naval Air Station on Oahu in Hawaii.

The following Monday morning, we went to Mass, which was not our custom for a weekday, and we found the church packed. The priest led us in the Pledge of Allegiance before Mass, which was also out of the ordinary.

Even to a three-year-old, it felt like something was different about the way people prayed. It was like everyone really meant it.  We continued to say a rosary every day that Advent.

More than 2400 American soldiers, sailors and civilians died in the attack, and almost 1200 were wounded. Congress declared war on Japan on December 8^th. Three days later, Japan’s allies, Germany and Italy, controlled by Hitler and Mussolini, declared war on the United States.

Pearl Harbor endures as a symbol of American resilience, resolve and commitment to the defense of freedom as a nation. Let this day, December 7^th, be a special day of prayer as we, as a nation, commemorate this anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

We are currently in the midst of preparing to remember another historical and infamous day.  One that is much more joyful and finds us waiting with hope for the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time that we meditate on the mystery of the divine becoming human; God becoming a human person.

During this season of Advent, so much of what we do is all about rituals and traditions. The Christmas decorations come out, the Christmas tree goes up, the baking begins, the parties are planned, and TV guides are full of Christmas specials. 

As many of you know, I am a big supporter of these traditions.  The decorations in the rectory, which cover every conceivable surface, have been up for a few weeks now.  My excuse for the festive transformation is that I am celebrating the birthday of my Boss.

The marvelous story written by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, captures the spirit of Advent for me.  The main character, an old, stingy man named Scrooge, lives a miserly existence.  He sees no benefit in being generous to the poor. He doesn’t provide a living wage for his workers.  Not only does he withhold money, but he withholds his love, kindness, warmth and friendship. 

Then one night, Scrooge undergoes a profound crisis.  It is like a surprise attack.  For the first time, he sees himself as others see him.

Imagine what that must be like – to experience what other people think of you.  Scrooge is allowed to see not only his miserable past and the way how he has treated others, but also to see how he will treat others in the future.  He doesn't like what he sees, which causes a radical transformation.  Rather than being cold and indifferent, he becomes generous and compassionate.

This is a hopeful story because it points out that we, too, can make changes in the way we live our lives.  It wasn't easy for Scrooge to change.  It is hard work to change; to acknowledge our sinfulness.  But we can do it.  This is what Advent means to me.

In today’s gospel, John the Baptist calls us to repentance.  To repent means to unwrap our negative attitude towards other people and wrap ourselves in God's gentle mercy and love so we are filled with hope and joy.

To repent or reconcile, we must wrap ourselves in what Paul wrote to the Romans as we heard in today’s second reading, “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

As we commemorate this anniversary of Pearl Harbor, there is an old maritime legend of a radio conversation between a US naval ship and the Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland on a foggy night:

Americans: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision.

Canadians: Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.

Americans: This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.

Canadians: No. I say again, you divert YOUR course.

Americans: This is the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln, the second-largest ship in the United States' Atlantic fleet. We are accompanied by three destroyers, three cruisers and numerous support vessels. I demand that YOU change your course by 15 degrees north —that's 1.5 degrees north —or countermeasures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.

Canadians: This is a lighthouse. Your call.

To help each of us change the direction of our lives to a more favorable course this Advent, let’s listen to John the Baptist and St. Paul.  Let’s learn from Scrooge and the legendary ship captain. Let’s focus this Advent on our daily prayer, meditation and spiritual growth.