December 14/Second Thursday of Advent
(Memorial of St. John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church)
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force.” ~ Matt 11.12
The events of the last year or two – wars in the Middle East and Europe, an increase in urban crime in many places, disruptions and riots the world over – all spur a general sense that the world is spinning in a vortex of violence and have been deeply destabilizing, to say the least. Nerves are rattled, inhibitions are loosened, and it sometimes seems that the violent in word or deed are going to prevail after all. As this tumultuous year draws to a close, we may wonder what we can do to bring about peace – because it seems to be such a hopelessly insurmountable challenge. But Jesus demonstrates what it looks like to resist — and ultimately overcome — the forces of violence. He loves and forgives his enemies — as we might do, rather than writing them off and cancelling them. He turns the other cheek — as we might do, rather than scheming to “get even.” And he consistently offers God’s mercy to a broken world. As Pope Francis has observed, Christ “taught that the true battlefield, where violence and peace meet, is the human heart.” To counter violence, then, we must start with ourselves. We can sow the seeds of peace in our immediate environs, in our everyday actions and attitudes. This might mean practicing patience, respect, and forgiveness in our family life — not always an easy task! — or striving to get along with a difficult neighbor, or working to find common ground in our polarized communities. And whether we are on social media or not, we can all try to reach beyond provocation to understanding, listening to the stories that others tell. As we witness, and experience, the violence that threatens to engulf the world and bear the kingdom of God away, let us beat the swords of cruelty into plowshares of love, the spears of acrimony into the pruning hooks of mercy.
God of wisdom and grace, Help me scatter the seeds of peace everywhere my path takes me today. Amen.
To hear Saint Michael’s Singers, Coventry Cathedral, sing “O God of Love, O King of Peace (Make wars throughout the world to cease . . . “) click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErRYjG1w1Ao
For today’s readings, click here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121423.cfm
