Peace in Our Time
First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
Second Reading: II Peter 3:8-15a
Gospel: Mark 1:1-8
*Music for The Many’s song “Longest Nights” can be found on the Convergence Music Project website.
In a 1938 speech, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain declared, "My good friends, for the second time in our history, a British Prime Minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honor. I believe it is peace for our time... Go home and get a nice quiet sleep." "Peace for our time." If only that were true, but another World War and millions more dead, there is anything but peace for our time.
I remember one Sunday sitting in church, and the pastor prayed for an end to the war in Ukraine. I overheard a comment from the pew in front of me: "War is human nature; it's natural." That didn't sit right with me. Indeed, as people of faith, we must believe that peace is more than an eschatological reality (a reality that occurs at some future point in time).
For far too long, peace (the idea of peace) has justified our laissez-faire approach to justice and reconciliation. The result is not only a lack of peace in our time but a furthering of unjust policies and attitudes that have ravaged the earth, oppressed our neighbors, and erected walls that divide us and distract us from the real issues at hand that lead toward the furthering of the kin-dom of God.
It would be nice if peace arrived as quickly as in the carols we sing this time of year. It would be nice if the comfort proclaimed by the prophet Isaiah came without any work on our part, but that is not how peace works, or at least lasting and meaningful peace. Just as Bonhoeffer said, there is no "cheap grace," I believe that there is no "cheap peace," and the Church (you and I) are a part of bringing about the peace we long for this Advent season.
I admit that I have a bias against Hallmark movies; perhaps in recent years, this bias is aimed at the fact that everything feels a little too "cozy" and places a disturbing veil over the Advent season that hinders apocalyptic hope. Everything isn't cozy, lest we forget the setting of Jesus' birth, a mother on the run who is brave to stand by her convictions, and a crazed empire that is out to put down any that opposes its might.
Peace in our time will only occur when we realize we must break things down to let the Spirit flow freely:
Break down the preconceived notions we possess about healthy, vital communities of faith.
Break down the traditions that have stifled our creativity and imagination.
Break down the false idea that there is not enough or the only way for us to be the Church is with our aging edifices that are enriching our ministries.
If we can reframe peace in this way, not only will we create peace within ourselves and the Church, but we will also create a peace that permeates every square inch of creation. The carols we sing, and the Hallmark movies we watch then may feel appropriate and reasonable in a way that goes beyond cliche holiday trappings.
Peace (sustainable and lasting peace) will never come if we sweep all our problems under the rug and pretend that nothing is happening. Peace will never last if we yield to what belittles, berates, and belligers. Peace in our time will come one day (maybe tomorrow) if we open our hearts, minds, and bodies to Advent peace that transforms us and ensures it is for everyone and is not some far-off eschatological hope but one that can happen in our time.
Questions for Reflection:
How does the historical context of failed promises of peace, such as Neville Chamberlain's declaration, shape our perception of peace today? Reflect on instances where past assurances of peace contrast starkly with the reality of ongoing conflicts and injustices in the world (and how it might distort view of peace today).
In what ways do our personal biases, societal norms, or established traditions hinder our ability to actively pursue and foster true peace in our communities and the world? Consider how breaking down preconceived notions, traditions, and structural barriers can pave the way for meaningful progress towards peace.
The text emphasizes the necessity of an active, participatory role in achieving sustainable peace, rather than passively waiting for its arrival. How can individuals and communities embrace this call to action, engaging in the challenging work of dismantling barriers and fostering reconciliation within themselves and in society, particularly during seasons like Advent?