The Magnificent Vision that God gave to Isaiah

When the three astronauts, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, headed for the moon, they gazed at planet Earth and tried to locate the various continents on Earth, they were wonderstruck and fascinated by their unanimous observation- that six billion humans, in spite of differing nationalities, languages, customs, religions and traditions, were just one gigantic family. To quote one astronaut:

“The first day in space, we all pointed to our countries. The second day, we pointed to our continents. By the third day, we were aware of only one Earth.”

This was the magnificent vision God gave to Isaiah and the ancient prophets for the Children of Israel first, and then for all of us. They prophesied and earnestly hoped for a brotherhood of man that would be as real as the Fatherhood of God. The prophets themselves were familiar with the injustices of an exploitative society and the horrors of senseless wars. But they faithfully propesied the coming of the  Messianic age, when the lamb would lie down with the wolf and have nothing to fear. Their Faith and Hope in God Who was inspiring them, enabled them to speak His  prophesy of a time of universal peace, when the strong would no longer prey on the weak or the cunning exploit the innocent.

The season of Advent each year rekindles our hope in this prophecy, expressed by prophet Isaiah in the first reading, to believe in its  becoming a reality in God’s good time in His Heavenly Kindgom. We have to work and change ourselves to make that dream come true for us all. (James Valladares in Your Words, O Lord, Are Spirit, And They Are Life; quoted by Fr. Botelho).

Metánoia after 9/11

On Monday people were fighting over public prayer.
On Tuesday, we prayed.

On Monday, we were separated by race, sex, color, and creed.
On Tuesday, we held hands.

On Monday, we argued with kids about picking up after themselves.
On Tuesday, we could hardly wait to get home from work to pick up our kids and hug them.

On Monday, we were obsessed with the sex lives of politicians.
On Tuesday, we joined hands with politicians to sing God Bless America.

God Takes Our Sinning Seriously

In John Steinbeck’s story, “The Wayward Bus,” a dilapidated old bus takes a cross-country shortcut on its journey to Los Angeles, and gets stuck in the mud. While the drivers go for assistance, the passengers take refuge in a cave.

Mr. Pritchard, a traveling businessman, is frustrated and repulsed after being rejected by the beautiful burlesque dancer Camille Oaks. He effectively ignoring the moral warning of the sign, assaults his own wife, Norma, in an attempt to reassert his self-importance. 

The sign, described as a "washed-out legend," serves as a heavy-handed symbol for the characters' moral condition and their indifference to traditional notions of sin and redemption. The characters, focused on their immediate, earthly desires and conflicts, are "oblivious to this word because it does not speak to them". 

Steinbeck’s narrative masterfully intertwines the physical journey of the bus passengers with their inner spiritual struggles. The cave, symbolizing a refuge from the external world, also represents a space for introspection and self-reflection. Yet, the passengers’ indifference to the ""REPENT"" sign reflects their unwillingness to confront their personal flaws and shortcomings.

This indifference mirrors the human tendency to avoid confronting sin, even when faced with clear reminders of the need for repentance. John the Baptist’s call to repentance serves as a stark contrast, urging individuals to acknowledge their sins and seek redemption. By ignoring the sign, the characters miss an opportunity for spiritual growth, highlighting the consequences of neglecting repentance. Steinbeck’s work reminds us that repentance is not merely a religious obligation, but a transformative process that can lead to personal renewal and a deeper connection with God.

The Story of Alfred Nobel and the Call to Metanoia

The story of Alfred Nobel is a powerful illustration of a profound change of heart, or what the Greek New Testament calls metanoia.

Alfred Nobel's Transformation:

Alfred Nobel (1833–1896) was a Swedish chemist, engineer, and inventor, most famous for the invention of dynamite. He amassed a vast fortune from his 355 patents, many of which were for explosives and armaments. In 1888, his brother Ludvig died, but a French newspaper mistakenly published Alfred's obituary under the headline, "The Merchant of Death is Dead." The obituary described him as a man who had become rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before.

Reading his own obituary was a harrowing experience for Nobel. It forced him to confront how he would be remembered. The realization that his legacy would be one of destruction and death was deeply troubling. This moment of crisis became a turning point. He resolved to change the narrative of his life. In his final will, he left the majority of his fortune to establish the Nobel Prizes, including the Nobel Peace Prize, to honor those who have "conferred the greatest benefit to humankind." This was a deliberate and dramatic shift from his past focus, a true act of repentance and a commitment to a better future for humanity.

The Connection to John the Baptist and Metanoia:

This story directly parallels the message of John the Baptist, who appears in the Gospels during the season of Advent, preaching in the desert of Judea.

1. The Call to Repentance (Metanoia): John the Baptist's central message was, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matthew 3:2). The Greek word for "repent" is metanoia, which means a "change of mind" or a "turning around." It is not just a feeling of remorse but a complete reorientation of one's life, a turning away from sin and towards God. For Alfred Nobel, the mistaken obituary was his "call in the desert." It was the catalyst that jolted him out of his complacency and forced him to see the true direction of his life.
2. A Radical Change of Heart: Metanoia is a deep, internal transformation. Nobel didn't just make a small adjustment; he fundamentally altered the purpose of his wealth and his legacy. He turned from being a "merchant of death" to a benefactor of peace and progress. This is the kind of radical change that John the Baptist was calling for—a complete turnaround from a life centered on self or worldly pursuits to one aligned with God's will.
3. Bearing Good Fruit: John the Baptist warned the religious leaders, "Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance" (Matthew 3:8). True metanoia is not just about words or feelings; it must be manifested in actions. Alfred Nobel's establishment of the Nobel Prizes is the tangible "fruit" of his repentance. It is the concrete evidence of his change of heart, a lasting contribution to the well-being of the global family.

Advent as a Time for Metanoia:

The season of Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Christ. Just as John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord by calling the people to metanoia, Advent calls us to examine our own lives. It is a time to identify the areas where we may be on the wrong path, where we may be "merchants" of selfishness, indifference, or discord.

Alfred Nobel's story serves as a powerful example for us during Advent. It shows that it is never too late to change. No matter what our past has been, we can always experience metanoia—a profound change of heart that leads us to use our "God-given talents" not for our own selfish ends, but for the "improvement of conditions around the world in the best interest of one and all in our global family." This is the true spirit of Advent preparation.