This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come, The mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say: “Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, That he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.
O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!
The Word of the Lord.
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Over the last century, more than 100 million people have died in war.
Currently, there are more than 40 armed conflicts unfolding around our world as people fight over power, politics, theology, and access to scarce resources like land, water, and food.
Even in peaceful nations, smaller types of conflicts arise at work, in our communities, or in our families. Siblings argue over which toy belongs to whom, and later who gets the inheritance. Spouses spat over finances, time spent together, communication, and the kids.
It seems that conflict – whether great or small – has been written into our DNA.
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Yet, the prophet Isaiah foretells in our first reading: “One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again…They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.”
That’s God’s promise to us: everlasting peace between God and his creation, even peace among the human race.
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Advent is an appointed time for us to consider what swords we need to beat into plowshares, or which spears into pruning hooks.
Maybe we’ve become short-tempered; we need the Lord to transform words wielded in anger into words of comfort.
Maybe we need to melt a grudge into an act of forgiveness.
Or selfishness into selflessness.
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While there may be ongoing conflicts around the world for a time, God’s peace is coming and we all have a role in ushering it in.
As we often sing during this holy season, Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
What might that mean for me today?
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Image credits: (1) Fine Art America, Ivanov (2) FPS Foreign Affairs (3) Cat J Pixels
Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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I was in Atlanta this past week visiting my brother and his family for Thanksgiving. It’s always heart-warming being with them, especially with my nieces and nephew.
As I was leaving them at the drop-off area of the airport, I noticed a car in front of us with a large bumper sticker with the words: Jesus Is Coming Soon!
I paused and thought to myself, “Not if he’s flying Spirit Airlines!”
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In today’s Gospel, the Lord tells us that he is coming again. His glorious return will be preceded by frightening events such as earthquakes, wars and famine.
What makes his return impossible to predict is the fact that these events have happened repeatedly throughout history.
For example, just forty years after Christ’s death and resurrection, both the city of Jerusalem and the Temple, God’s dwelling place on earth, were destroyed.
Christians were being led before kings and governors and martyred en masse, leading many to wonder if the end were near.
Even so, the Lord forewarned Christians not to succumb to the anxiety and fear which would naturally arise in their hearts.
Nor were they to fall into the temptation to “seize the day,” wallowing in drunkenness and pleasure, throwing caution to the wind, living without any thought of divine judgment.
They were to work, pray, and yes, enjoy life’s blessings, while always being mindful of what matters in the end.
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Like those first Christians, many have wondered if the end were near over the last century as we’ve endured threats of nuclear war, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and two World Wars.
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Just imagine being one of the millions of soldiers who fought heroically during World War Two. Those muddy fields and blood-stained beaches must have looked like the apocalypse.
Hitler was systematically wiping out an entire people, while taking over large swaths of Europe, drawing nation after nation into conflict. Rightly, many wondered, like those first Christians did, if this were the end.
We know now it wasn’t.
But the experience of World War Two provides a modern way to understand the end of the world – and our role in it.
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On June 6, 1944, Allied troops landed in Normandy where they began their slow, heroic march towards Paris.
Weeks later, as American boots marched through the Arc de Triomphe, many felt that the end of the war was in sight. But our troops couldn’t put down their weapons just yet.
It would take nearly another year to reach and defeat Hitler.
Finally, when the war ended, nations cried out in a collective voice, “Never again.”
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As Christians, we’re called to see ourselves like the Allied troops marching through Paris. We know this battle between good and evil can be won.
In a sense, it has been won. When Jesus conquered death on Easter Sunday, he dealt the devil a decisive blow.
But there is still work to be done. God’s peace isn’t reigning from sea to shining sea just yet. So, we continue our march.
Think about how many of our brothers and sisters are still living in conflict, dying from poverty and the pangs of hunger, and how many more are struggling to find inner peace.
For them, we continue our march.
Even in our own families, there can be conflict, grudges, poor communication, loneliness, and severed relationships.
For us, we continue our march.
This is our mission as Christians, to spread God’s kingdom of peace wherever we go, aware that mission always starts within.
As one Russian novelist put it, “If only it were all so simple! But the dividing line between good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?”
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This is what Advent is about: celebrating the decisive victory that Jesus has won for us, while also acknowledging the fact that there is still work to be done – not only “out there,” but also within.
As we await the Lord’s return, what changes might I need to make in my own life? Or how can I work for greater peace around me?
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Like the Allied troops marching through the Arc de Triomphe, or those first Christians affirming their faith before kings and governors, we are on the right side of history, so long as we persevere in faith.
As we continue our march, we pray collectively:
Come, Lord Jesus.
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Image credits: (1) Shutterstock (2) The Atlantic (3) Amazon.com
Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Over the last week, we’ve heard a lot of scary sayings from Jesus in the Gospels about the end of the world; there will be earthquakes, famines, wars, and insurrections.
Christians will be led before courts and kings, but they’re not to prepare a defense beforehand. Parents will hand over children and brother will hand over sister.
It can be exhausting to think about this, which is why it’s important to remember the bigger picture.
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When considering the end of the world – and the chaos that will usher it in – think about it like a thunderstorm at night.
We’ve all been through a storm before. The lightning cracks while the rain pounds against our windows.
Once the storm passes, there’s a unique type of peace – or calm – that follows. As the sun rises, you can hear the birds chirp; the air smells fresh and feels crisp against our skin; there’s a stillness; everything else is quiet.
That’s the type of peace that God’s kingdom is bringing.
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Once good has conquered evil forever, there will be a definitive peace which no storm can quench, no spear can break, no army can conquer.
As the prophet Isaiah foretells, “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not train for war against another, nor shall they train for war again.”
But, as the storm rages, we must remain vigilant – staying close to the Lord even in times of trial – for he has loved us, given himself for us, and has been raised from the dead. In time, he will come for us, too.
Come, Lord Jesus.
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Image credits: (1) DailyVerses.net (2) Dailey Lake, TripAdvisor (3) YouTube, World Christian Fellowship
