Second Sunday of Advent: Isaiah's Vision of Justice Without Weapons
Can you imagine a world where natural enemies become friends? In today's Advent reflection, we look at the Prophet Isaiah's vision of the "Peaceable Kingdom," where the wolf lies down with the lamb. We explore what this means for modern conflicts—Ukrainians and Russians, Gazans and Israelis, Republicans and Democrats.
The scripture readings for the Second Sunday of Advent (Isaiah 11 and Matthew 3) challenge us to speak the truth. Isaiah prophesies a leader who judges not by appearance, but with justice for the poor—slaying the wicked not with guns or spears, but with "the rod of his mouth." Meanwhile, John the Baptist calls the Pharisees a "brood of vipers," demanding not just words, but the fruit of repentance.
We are called to address the injustices we see. We cannot fix everything, but to stay silent is to tacitly endorse the wrong. Join us for a reflection on how to live with hope and take prophetic action this Advent.
