Posted by The WORD in other words (2006) by Fr Magdaleno Fabiosa SVD – Villa Cristo Rey, Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City
Tuesday 1st Week of Advent
Sin brought disharmony and disunity not only to the human race but throughout the whole of creation as well. But in his own wisdom and goodness, God did not allow man and woman to remain in that sad state that their sin brought about. He promised to intervene and to bring back harmony and unity to the whole of his creation. This is the background of that beautiful prophecy of Isaiah (1st reading) about who the coming Messiah will be and what He will do, bringing justice and restoring harmony throughout nature between lions and lambs, children and cobra.
This world of the Messiah has been given birth in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The season of Advent reminds us of that promise made by a God who is faithful to his promises. The preface of the 2nd Eucharistic Prayer for Mass of Reconciliation expresses beautifully this fact that what Isaiah has promised is slowly becoming a reality in our world:
We thank you Father, for your presence and action in the world. In the midst of conflict and division, we know it is you who turn our minds to thoughts of peace. Your Spirit changes our hearts: enemies begin to speak to one another, those who were estranged join hands in friendship, and nations seek the way of peace together. Your Spirit is at work when understanding puts an end to strife, when hatred is quenched by mercy and vengeance gives way to forgiveness.
No wonder, therefore, that the greetings of the angels to the shepherds is that of PEACE, and the greeting that the resurrected Jesus brought to his disciples is that of PEACE; a peace that only God could give.
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