This Sunday, the second Sunday in Advent when we welcome Jesus as the Prince of Peace. Our readings are from Isaiah 11:1-10 and Matthew 3:1-12. The Isaiah passage appeals to me in a special way as I think about the message of peace. Indeed, it is often called “The Peaceable Kingdom.” It is a marvelous and courageous vision.
We might be tempted to criticize Isaiah for his failure to provide us with the details of a foreign policy that ensures lasting peace. Fair enough. But we cannot so easily or quickly dismiss his insistence that we find ways to resolve conflicts that honor the promises of God and the goodness of creation.
Are there risks? Surely there are. But rather than allowing hope to be turned back by fear, let us remember the words of Dr. King who said that “Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we will arrive at that goal.”
Blessings, David