Lead Us in the Way of Peace

On the second Sunday in Advent, we will be lighting the candle of Peace on our Advent wreath at church. Peace is a concept that people hold many different opinions about. In the military, peace often means the cessation of hostilities or some sort of truce. The problem with the definitions of peace that I studied during my military training is that it really isn’t peace. Is there peace on the Korean peninsula? Oh wait, it is a truce which still has both sides armed to the teeth, ready to attack each other. Thomas Merton said, In the presence of war and death, Advent offers PEACE – and yet a peace beyond our understanding, but a peace that is so much more than the absence of conflict, in the awesome peace of Christ. (Seasons of Celebration)

In the Gospel of Luke, God through the voice of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, invites us to consider the way of peace… By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:78-79)

Mother Mary, speak to us of this peace that we can have through your Son Jesus ♥️🌹