Preparing the way for the prince of peace – building peace, reconciliation and harmony

Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 71, Romans 15:4-9, Matthew 3:1-12

The message today is of peace, reconciliation and repentance. We listen to Isaiah’s prophecy about the Messiah. We are reminded that preparing for the Lord’s coming entails listening to the voice of the one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his path straight.” John the Baptist places emphasis on repentance as best way to prepare for the Lord’s coming: “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near!”

John’s message underscores the importance of this season. Advent is a time not just for material preparation, like the decorations of the streets, homes, churches, it is a time of retreat and deep reflection on the mystery God; the mystery of the incarnation and what it signifies for us and the world. It is a time of cleaning up, leveling the rough edges of our lives with the hope of receiving our Lord in a beautiful state of mind and body. It suffices to remind us here that John’s message is another way of telling us that: “Without holiness, no one will see the Lord” (Heb 12:14).

Repentance, reconciliation, and holiness of the heart are the prerequisites for justifying our hope at the end of this season. Therefore, let us rid ourselves of everything hindering us from receiving Christ this season. In the light of this, the Church encourages us to take advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation to prepare ourselves to receive our Lord and King.

John the Baptist’s message of repentance is very clear: “Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

The Apostle Paul in the second reading prays: “May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” If we can’t live together in harmony, if we cannot reconcile with our brothers and sisters, our friends, how can we sing with one voice this year’s Christmas carols? It makes no sense celebrating Christmas, the coming of light into the world, if we are not able to become lights in our dark world; become ministers of reconciliation, peace and harmony in our society.

The Second Advent Candle symbolizes Peace. The one born into the world is the Prince of Peace. All his followers should be missionaries and messengers of peace in a world filled with so much conflicts and violence. “Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called sons of God.” We must work for peace in our families and neighborhoods. The Prophet Isaiah describes this peace perfectly: “The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together; The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together… “To work for peace also means working for justice as the Psalmist reminds us… We cannot imagine peace without justice…

Is there anyone still at loggerheads, at war, in conflict with his husband, wife, children, parents, siblings, cousins, in-laws, colleagues at work place? Today’s message is for you! Advent invites you to find pathways to a peaceful resolution of your issues before Christmas…