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 do not 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 1.5 million deaths of soldiers and civilians from both sides and has cost us billions of dollars in protection. Mass shootings in 2025 were 366 in the United States. If we include the Covid-19 pandemic, there are 1,081,431 who have died in the United States to date and 6.86 million deaths worldwide.
Aside from these terrible dilemmas, more than 767,856 are homeless in the United States through 2024, 295 million people are facing worldwide food shortages and 52.3 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 for the elderly.
The list of problems is long, and no one offers 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 regarding 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 collaborate with people in need to see how we can help. Maybe they can use volunteers to do something for a specific period. Donations are always helpful to cover costs for services to a growing population in need. We cannot solve every problem, but we can offer some plausible solutions they have not thought about. No matter what a situation is, we can bring a distinct perspective, a cheerful outlook and to be present to provide some peace, justice and relief during these trying times.
Reading 1: Isaiah
11:1 – 10
Psalm: 72:1
– 2, 12 – 13, 17
Reading 2: Romans
15:4 – 9
Gospel: Matthew
3:1 - 12
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