Toward the Lord’s House

December 1, 2008

Monday of the First Week of Advent

By Beth DeCristofaro

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; 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. (Isaiah 2:2, 4)

(Jesus) was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 8:10-11)

Piety

Loving God, I sense that all is your creation and everything, and all of us, are being drawn back toward your loving heart.
Help me to be a person of peace, To speak about it in an uneasy world, And to live it among the people you have put into my life every day.
Light in me a desire to prepare for your coming, to stand in the darkness, waiting, eager and filled with joy.
(Creighton University) http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Advent/aweek1.html#1mon

Study

Isaiah prophesized during dark and unsettled times, yet his words and visions are hopeful, of a supreme and triumphal God victorious over a (finally) united, peaceful world. Jesus lived and preached during a brutal oppression yet his divine love opened doors of salvation even to the oppressor. He did not carry a spear but a plowshare to plant redemption in frail, brief, treasured human lives.

In an address concerning next year’s synod on Africa, Nigerian-born Cardinal Francis Arinze spoke about the unstable and dangerous situation in much of Africa. In part he said: “The Church does not have a miraculous recipe to solve the problems, and even less, political or economic solutions,” he said. “That is not her mission: She should preach the Gospel, which implies respect for the rights of others and the conversion of heart.”… “If the heart converts, weapons will fall from the hands of the combatants.”

Action

During Advent, all creation is drawing near to God, and we are streaming toward the manger to witness the birth of the humble God. This divine baby to be born is known as the Prince of Peace and Lord of Light. How do we keep peace in our daily lives? How do we foment peace around us? How do we contest conflict and insist on peace within and without? Do we rationalize violence because the perpetrator “deserves” it or that it is for my “self defense”?

Are we choosing faith which will cause Jesus to exclaim: “I found such faith. I say to you, (you have) come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven.”