Connected through the ages of time, we still prepare during Advent for the coming of Christ in our lives beginning with his birth, suffering, death, resurrection, ascension and return. Both readings and St. Matthew’s Gospel illustrate how God’s plan was meant for us whether we were known as an Israelite or Gentile prior to or after implementation of Christianity. Our preparation is for acceptance of who Jesus is as told to us through the scriptures and to find ways we can be repentant, have a personal change of heart and a transformation or conversion as we help to bring peace and justice as Jesus did.
In our first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we are told of a heritage through King David’s family that will lay out a course to establish justice while Jesus restores peace as it once was in the Garden of Eden. St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans continues this course of action but with a requirement of both endurance and encouragement to those who follow the law handed down to the Israelites and to the Gentiles who accepted Christ’s message of the law’s fulfillment.
St. John the Baptist in the Gospel clarifies both who Christ is and what He, along with the Holy Spirit, will do to help us understand, as well as St. John’s role as a precursor to Jesus’ ministry and purpose.
Bringing peace and justice to our world today may seem like an insurmountable wall to climb over given uncertainty in all aspects of our lives. Not a day goes by that we don’t hear about some major catastrophe that affects someone’s life or a multitude of lives.
The war between Russia and Ukraine has combined for more than 100,000 deaths of soldiers and civilians from both sides and has cost us billions of dollars in protection. Mass shootings as of November 30 were 607 in the United States. If we include the Covid-19 pandemic, there are 1,081,431 who have died in the United States as of December 3, 2022 and 6.5 million deaths worldwide.
Aside from these terrible dilemmas, more than 600,000 are homeless in the United States, 193 million people are facing worldwide food shortages and 62 percent of the global population lives on less than $10.00 per day.
In the United States we also are facing rising prices in necessities such as food, gas and services for those in need, such as care of the elderly.
The list of problems is long and none offer a quick or easy solution; and some may never be solved in our lifetime. But, that does not mean as Christians we should put them aside because of this. We still must have the mindset of Jesus in regards to peace and justice by reaching out to those in need in whatever way we have the capability to do so.
Let us take time this week to check out local non-profit organizations that work with people in need to see how we can help. Maybe they can use volunteers to do something for a specific time frame. Donations are always helpful to cover costs for services to a growing population in need. We can’t solve every problem but maybe we can offer some plausible solutions they haven’t thought about. No matter what a situation is, we can bring a different perspective, a positive attitude and to be present to provide some peace, justice and relief during these trying times.
Reading 1: Isaiah 11: 1-10
Reading 2: Romans 15: 4-9
Gospel: Matthew 3: 1-12
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