Sunday Gospel reflections: Making vision of peace a reality
First Sunday of Advent, Year A
They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks (Isaiah 2:4).
The prophet Isaiah wrote this verse in the eighth century B.C., a critical time in the Israelites’ history when they were being invaded by powerful foreign nations. Against this backdrop of bleakness and despair, Isaiah proclaimed his beautiful vision of universal peace. It is a vision we still long for almost 3,000 years later in our violent and war-torn world.
Wouldn’t we love to see our instruments of war used for peaceful purposes: tanks converted into tractors, warships transformed into hospitals, and troops deployed solely for humanitarian purposes?
But Isaiah was clear. His vision of peace rested on Israel’s fidelity to God’s love and commands. The same is true today. We will not have peace in our families, communities, nations, and world until we live lives of love and justice.
This Advent, as we prepare for the coming of Jesus, our Prince of Peace, let us ask ourselves: Where might we put more love? With whom can we share our talents and goods?
— Sr. Melannie Svoboda, SND
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:37-44
