The Second Sunday of Advent
In light of this Advent week and the readings this Sunday, I asked a couple children what they think the word peace means. I was surprised by their answer, because while I thought of peace in the context of the world, they were thinking in the context of themselves. They agreed that peace meant to feel calm and relaxed, an idea that we struggle with as we grow older.
As adults, there are a lot of reasons we don’t seek calmness and inner peace. Maybe we’re too busy and we just forget it’s place, or maybe we’re avoiding the silence because we’re scared of what we’ll hear. It could also be that we have been told that to slow down is an excuse to be lazy or unmotivated. Whatever the case, the readings make it clear that Advent is the time to give up these ideas and accept God’s invitation to peace.
In Sunday’s Gospel, St. John the Baptist tells us to “Prepare the way of the Lord”. This can be a call to many things, but with the innocence of a child, I think we should stop thinking about how we are preparing for Christmas on the outside, with gifts and ornaments, and consider how we are preparing for Christmas on the inside. How are you making space for Jesus at your inn, in your heart?
Reflecting again on the meaning of peace, we now look to the Mass. Before we receive communion, we say the sign of peace to the people around us. This transaction is not just a formality, but it is an important part of our preparation to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, the same preparation we need to make to receive Jesus as a baby in the manger.
St. Paul challenges us in the second reading, “Think in harmony with one another.” Peace is not possible if we carry feelings of bitterness and anger toward our families and friends. During this second week of Advent, take some time to reflect on who you might have to forgive or ask forgiveness of, including God. And then do it! With a childlike spirit of humility and vulnerability, this Advent could be the start to the life of peace God has promised.
